5 shining stars from NOLA Saints’ crucial week 17 win vs Panthers
4. Alvin Kamara
New Orleans’ offense went the past two games without scoring a touchdown and they were one quarter away from going three straight games without finding the end zone. Fortunately, Alvin Kamara continued to be leaned on despite the run game getting very little going.
Kamara and Taysom Hill established chemistry in this one and the touchdown pass from Hill to Kamara proved just that. It put New Orleans up 18-10 over the Panthers and that was the final score.
The final numbers for Kamara in this game were 13 carries for 32 yards, which doesn’t look impressive but the important thing is that NOLA stuck with it despite Kamara not getting much on the ground. The offensive line played a factor in that too. Kamara also dominated as a pass-catcher, finishing with five catches for 68 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.
Without Kamara, the NOLA Saints don’t win this game.
Saints' first TD in 3 weeks! Taysom Hill to Alvin Kamara on the rollout pass on third-and-1.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) January 2, 2022
3. Marquez Callaway
There hasn’t been much to write home about when it comes to the Saints wide receivers but Marquez Callaway has really stepped it up and looked good in the past few weeks. He had et another impressive game on Sunday, grabbing six catches for 97 yards and showing that he can be a legitimate option moving forward.
People put unrealistic expectations on Callaway entering the season and he’s showing now that he can be a reliable weapon, just not the only reliable weapon.