METAIRIE, La. -- Coach Sean Payton didn’t specifically plan for running back Alvin Kamara to touch the ball on 11 of the New Orleans Saints' first 19 plays in Sunday’s 34-17 win at Tampa Bay (including a touchdown that was nullified by a penalty).
But it wasn’t an accident either.
Payton knew his offense needed a jolt after a dreadful loss to the Atlanta Falcons a week earlier. And what better player to provide it than the dynamic Kamara, who needed a bit of a jolt himself after ankle and knee injuries stalled the middle of his season?