New Orleans Saints: Standouts from Week 1 vs. Texans

New Orleans Saints: 3 Standouts from Week 1 vs. Texans

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 09: Wide receiver Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Bradley Roby #21 of the Houston Texans at Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 09: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints avoids a tackle by Bradley Roby #21 of the Houston Texans at Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

2. RB Alvin Kamara

In 2017, the third-round pick from the University of Tennessee totaled 728 yards rushing, caught 81 passes for 826 yards, scored a total of 13 touchdowns and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Last season, he finished seventh in the league with 1,592 total yards from scrimmage and reached the end zone 18 times in 15 games. And he’s been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two NFL seasons.

In the Saints’ 30-28 win over the Houston Texans, third-year running back Alvin Kamara did not score a touchdown. But he touched the football a total of 20 times and finished with 169 yards from scrimmage. He made his impact on both the ground (13 carries for 97 yards) and through the air (7 receptions for 72 yards).

After he totaled nine plays for a combined 29 yards in the first 30 minutes of the game, Kamara came up with 11 touches for a whopping 140 yards in the final two quarters. There was a 41-yard reception on the Saints’ first possession of the third quarter which led to a touchdown. And there were a pair of 28-yard runs in the second half as well.

The Saints rolled up 510 total yards against a Texans’ team that finished 12th in the NFL in total defense in 2018. And Kamara’s penchant for the big play was a deciding factor in a thrilling win.

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