Just when fantasy owners were about to give up on Mark Ingram, he proves why he was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. After being benched for Tim Hightower last week against Seattle, head coach Sean Payton gave Ingram the starting nod on Sunday in a match-up with San Francisco 49ers.
The former Alabama standout and 2009 Heisman winner took full advantage, posting his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. Ingram took much pressure off Drew Brees, as he rushed for 158 yards on 15 carries—while totaling two touchdowns (one receiving). His 158 rushing yards were Ingram’s most against a single team, since he recorded a career-high 172 yards on 24 carries against Green Bay on Oct. 26, 2014.
.@MarkIngram22's 75-yard TD run! #Saints50 #NOvsSF https://t.co/i57GpSMVkS
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 6, 2016
New Orleans has won four of its last five games, after an 0-3 start.
If Ingram continues to play well, the Saints (4-4) have a chance at making the playoffs as either a wildcard seed or a divisional champion—should it defeat the Atlanta Falcons and win out.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
