This weekend, the New Orleans Saints have a chance to sweep the division rival Carolina Panthers, a team that's right in the playoff hunt. However, running back Devin Neal isn't planning on using the possibility of ruining their playoff hopes as motivation.
Though he does say some may do so, the sixth-round draft pick says it's not how he'll head into this weekend. "For me, it's a matter of going out there and doing whatever it takes to win. It's not necessarily about trying to knock them out," he said to the media on Wednesday. "It is a division rival, so there is some extra fire there, but it's not necessarily about trying to ruin what they got more than it is about us and how we want to go out in this season the right way."
Right now, the Panthers are second in the NFC South, and a win on Sunday would put them first in the division, even with six losses already. If they want to keep their playoff hopes alive, a win against the Saints this weekend is a must.
Devin Neal wants to show that he is 100% part of the Saints' future
Neal doesn't want to be a one game wonder. He told media hopes to show whoever is watching that he can continue the pace that he is on. "It's definitely something that I want to continue to build on, to continue to show the coaching staff that I'm a contributor and can be effective in this offense," He said to the media. "Ultimately though, it's not about what I'm doing and more about what I can do for the team."
Proving that will be on him, but the opportunity has certainly presented itself. Both Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller went down with an injury, leaving Neal as the only member of the room who is still present and healthy. He's taken on the role as the top option in the running game unexpectedly, but he's done a solid job of grabbing the bull by its horns.
Neal hadn't seen the field much in his first season in the National Football League, right up until Kamara got injured. You've seen the stats naturally improve with a greater workload. Neal increased his rushing yards from 47 in the first game to 70 in the second game with a significant workload. If he continues at this pace, he could have his first 100-yard game in front of a home crowd.