New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara went scorched-Earth on the Minnesota Vikings in Friday’s Week 15 showdown on Christmas Day, scoring six touchdowns on 22 carries for 155 yards to key a 52-33 victory.
Kamara tied an all-time NFL record, single-handedly swung multiple fantasy football championships and wowed the NFL world at large with his astounding performance to help the Saints clinch the NFC South division.
Alvin Kamara has tied the all-time NFL record with 6 rushing TD in a game
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) December 26, 2020
HOF Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals was previously the sole record holder, with 6 rush TD in a 1929 win over the Bears
Let’s look at some of the praise that came Kamara’s way as he became the holiday gift that kept on giving for New Orleans fans and his fantasy owners.
Questions lingered as to how well Kamara could hold up as the lead running back after he dealt with injuries last season. In fact, the 25-year-old has experienced a steady decline since exploding onto the scene as a rookie in 2017.
The thing is, though, even a slight dip in production for Kamara still means he’s among the league’s best all-around backs.
What hasn’t changed is his prolific pass-catching ability. Now, he’s pairing that with durability, late-year health and hard pure running. The Vikings felt the full wrath of that lethal combination, which ultimately dashed what remained of their playoff hopes.
No matter what ill effects aging Saints quarterback Drew Brees is showing, as long as he takes care of the football, New Orleans should be just fine in the playoffs, especially if Kamara keeps playing like this. The Saints might have even been hoping Kamara would slow down as a means of possibly saving some of these explosive plays for the postseason.
The only negative reaction from his historic outing was the fact that head coach Sean Payton didn’t keep Kamara out there to possibly run for another score. He’ll have to settle for tying the record.
In any event, Kamara is putting to rest what little criticism should still persist about him as a player.
What’s more, perhaps forced by the absence of injured superstar receiver Michael Thomas, Payton might have unearthed a new offensive identity on the fly. Saints teams of yesteryear relied heavily on Brees’ arm. Their Super Bowl chances may well come down to whether Kamara can establish the run well enough.
ALVIN KAMARA HAS 6 TDs TODAY. MERRY CHRISTMAS. pic.twitter.com/rHEig1J1pN
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) December 26, 2020
Hey, Alvin Kamara. How many TDs do you have today? pic.twitter.com/OT0EMoIZyY
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) December 26, 2020
Alvin Kamara has more rushing touchdowns in this game than Ezekiel Elliott has all season.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) December 26, 2020
Okay. I'm done.
I just FaceTimed my friend who has Kamara against me, ready to tell him to go F himself vigorously and when he answered I got a hold of myself and first asked if he was around anyone.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) December 26, 2020
He then showed me his entire family around their tree.
A Christmas miracle Ode to Restraint. pic.twitter.com/uwmEzrWaeb
Kamara’s so good at the football when Taysom Hill isn’t playing QB
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 25, 2020
Greatest gift I received this Christmas was Alvin Kamara's 5 TDs #FantasyFootballPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Y5k7FrTc4x
— Robert Foulkrod (@Robert_Foulkrod) December 26, 2020
People playing Kamara in their fantasy championship today #NFL #saints #FantasyFootballPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/dwHgo3zXBi
— Weekly Spiral (@weeklyspiral) December 26, 2020
Everyone playing against Alvin Kamara accepting the fact that they are probably going to lose. pic.twitter.com/8SnFUOuseZ
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) December 26, 2020
#MINvsNO Vikings: lets beat the saints once again
— Van Charles (@torakku27) December 26, 2020
Alvin Kamara: pic.twitter.com/kmwEedYNWf
When you’re in your #FantasyFootball Championship game and not playing against Alvin Kamara. pic.twitter.com/HNCzBoCAzI
— Cyrus #D4L (@CyrusD4L) December 26, 2020
Rushing touchdowns today:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 26, 2020
Alvin Kamara: 6
Rushing touchdown this entire season:
James Conner: 5
Ezekiel Elliott: 5
Kareem Hunt: 5
Miles Sanders: 5
Chris Carson: 5
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: 4
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