It took seven seasons, but the National Football League is finally noticing the jewel that is former University of Alabama running back and 2009 Heisman winner, Mark Ingram.
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has a firm relationship with quarterback Drew Brees; however, his decision to run the ball more with Ingram has the franchise in position to capture an NFC South Division title for the first time since 2011 – Ingram’s rookie year.
Ingram guided the unit to its 10th win as New Orleans defeated the New York Jets, 31-19 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday. He totaled 74 yards rushing with two touchdowns on 12 carries.
Ingram’s 50-yard burst to the end zone in the fourth quarter secured the matchup for the Saints, while his two scores gave him his third multi-touchdown performance this season.
He's going…going…GONE! 💨#SaintsGameday | #NYJvsNO https://t.co/E7J8KDA3DF
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 17, 2017
The 27-year-old continues to showcase versatility, grabbing five passes from Brees for 77 receiving yards – including a 54-yard catch to set up a field goal on the first scoring drive.
Behind Ingram, the Saints turned in 416 total yards and averaged 6.5 yards a play.
His desire to maximize every opportunity has led Ingram to his second straight 1,000-yard rushing campaign (1,045 yards, 204 carries) and his fourth 1,000-yard year from scrimmage, dating back to his Pro Bowl season in 2014 – where he had 964 yards rushing and 145 yards receiving.
FIFTY. FOUR. YARDS.
Keep doing you, @MarkIngram22.#SaintsGameday | #NYJvsNO https://t.co/zlYPFgFKrM
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 17, 2017
New Orleans has neither made the playoffs since 2013 nor won a Super Bowl since 2009, but Ingram has the squad on the verge of possibly doing both.
Should the Saints win its final two games and get a loss from the Carolina Panthers (10-4), New Orleans will capture the divisional crown.
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.
