Mark Ingram has made it hard for Saints’ head coach Sean Payton and the franchise’s front office to trade him, especially with how well he has performed in the last two weeks.
Since returning from a four-game suspension, the eighth-year running back from the University of Alabama has New Orleans’ offense firing on all cylinders. In its 51-14 blowout victory over Cincinnati last week, Ingram led the team in rushing with 104 yards on 13 carries.
Ingram TD coming via Saints’ twitter account:
Mark Ingram punches it in from one yard out! #PHIvsNO pic.twitter.com/BUFldqMljW
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 18, 2018
He averaged eight yards per rush and demonstrated the traits that made him a Heisman Trophy winner, a Southeastern Conference champion and a national champion at Alabama in 2009.
For the two-time Pro Bowler and two-time 1,000-yard rusher, Ingram turned in another strong outing Sunday versus the Philadelphia Eagles inside Mercedes-Benz Superdome. He powered his way to 103 yards rushing on 16 attempts with two touchdowns – 6.4 yards per carry – and started the game with a 38-yard burst downfield that set up a 38-yard field goal from kicker, Will Lutz.
Video via Saints’ twitter account:
Mark Ingram joins #Saints fans in the crowd after a 14-yard touchdown run! #PHIvsNO pic.twitter.com/zLZOxADPyk
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 18, 2018
Ingram tallied four runs that went for first downs and his efforts allowed for Drew Brees to record a masterful game at quarterback. He accounted for 363 passing yards with four scoring tosses to no interceptions on 22 of 30 passes completed. New Orleans earned its second straight dominant win behind Ingram, handing the Eagles a 48-7 loss. While the team likes what Alvin Kamara does as an all-purpose player, Ingram is showing he still can play at an elite level.
With him picking up his first two scores of the season, Ingram and the fun-loving Saints remain at home as the 9-1 offensive juggernaut will face Atlanta next week. He intends on helping the team make a considerable push to get to the Super Bowl.
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 @CoachingMSmith.
