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Saints vs Seahawks: 4 key matchups to watch in Week 7

By Jummy Owookade

Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. Alvin Kamara against Seattle’s Rush Defense

The one constant in all of the Saints’ offensive inconsistency has been the play of Alvin Kamara. The fifth-year back is once again on track for another Pro Bowl appearance and has done it despite some struggles from those around him.

Five games into the season and Kamara is averaging the most rushing yards he’s ever had per game (73.6) on the most carries he’s averaged at nearly 19 a game. Albeit, while he’s rushed for three scores, he has averaged fewer yards per rush than in years prior: this year he’s averaging only about 3.9 per attempt, much less than the five he averaged last season.

But the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year was never known as being this dominant rusher; his greatness is found in being a dynamic playmaker catching the ball out of the backfield. And that is where there’s been a drop-off for Kamara this season; in five games, he’s only had 15 catches on 22 targets for 113 yards.

With career-lows in catches per game (3) and receiving yards per game (22.6), Kamara has not truly made his imprint in the passing game yet. But with how the Saints’ offense has been hit-or-miss, that’s not really his fault.

Nevertheless, New Orleans has proven to be a solid team on the ground, appearing in the top-10 in the league with nearly 126 rushing yards a game. Their opponents, the Seahawks, on the other hand, are the third-worst team against the run this year. They’ve held opponents to just 140 yards per game on the ground.

In total, Seattle is the worst team in the league in yards allowed with a combined average of 433.2 yards a game. This is potentially the worst defensive mark since the Saints allowed 440 yards a game in 2012.

Because of the lackluster defense the Seahawks bolster, it will behoove the Saints to unleash the clip with a variety of looks on the ground and in the air. Kamara should be a more than frequent benefactor of those touches because Seattle won’t be able to stop him in the backfield or in coverage.

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