As teams start making efforts toward the postseason, fans of the National Football League are seeing more former Alabama players stand out in marquee games.
During Week 10 of the season, which ended on Monday, there were a few Crimson Tide alums that either carried their respective franchises to wins or turned in production that seized attention from national media.
In tracking the shining stars from last week, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine lays out the individuals that were instrumental in Week 10 of the NFL.
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
It was a record-setting performance from many angles for Mark Ingram in New Orleans’ matchup versus Buffalo.
His three rushing touchdowns tied a franchise record for most in a single-season, pairing him with former Saints’ running back Reggie Bush (2006).
Ingram’s output against the Bills was also his third 100-yard game of the season, and third in which he accomplished the feat on at least 20 carries. Head coach Sean Payton decided to go on the formula of consistently feeding Ingram in meetings with Detroit and Green Bay, as New Orleans went on to win both of those contests. Ingram, a first-round pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, anchored the Saints’ rushing attack with 131 yards on 21 carries in a 47-10 rout of Buffalo.
He stands with 672 yards rushing and seven scores.
Mark Barron, Los Angeles Rams
Barron recorded his third interception of the year for the Los Angeles Rams in its 33-7 victory over Houston at home.
Within the Rams’ seven wins, three of them have resulted against Giants, Cowboys and Texans – all of which were matchups that Barron created turnovers in action.
He would also be credited with five total tackles.
Reuben Foster, San Francisco 49ers
Despite it coming in a losing effort to the Arizona Cardinals, Reuben Foster’s 14 tackles were a game-high for the San Francisco 49ers. The second to last pick in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft led the squad in tackles again with 10 in a 31-21 bounce back over the Giants.
Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins
Seeing how he is now the featured back in Miami, Kenyan Drake is beginning to explode as a playmaker. He totaled 82 yards rushing versus Carolina on seven carries on Monday Night Football, including a 66-yard touchdown run that resembled what he did at Alabama.
The Dolphins would lose 45-21 at the hands of the Panthers, but seeing this type of burst from Drake bodes well for the team for years to come.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
