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New Orleans Saints Ranked With Best Backfield in NFL

By Erik Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints and Mark Ingram #22 celebrate during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints and Mark Ingram #22 celebrate during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The New Orleans Saints have long been a team driven by the singular brilliance of future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.

While that’s still largely the case, the fact is their recent resurgence to playoff relevance was sparked by an evolution at running back. Mark Ingram remained the tough, powerful runner he’s been for years, balancing the Brees passing game on the group. The true revelation was rookie Alvin Kamara. Most knew he had some versatile talent when he arrived from Tennessee.

Nobody could’ve predicted what was to follow as the Saints rampaged through the league, boasting the #1 offense in the NFL and their backfield leading the way. New Orleans made the playoffs for the first time since 2013 and made it to the divisional round. Though they were upset in heartbreaking fashion in the final seconds, it was validation that this team was back in the Super Bowl picture.

Ingram and Kamara combo ranked as the best backfield in the NFL

Mike Clay of ESPN arranged rankings of the best backfields in the league going into the 2018. The competition was certainly fierce including the Todd Gurley-led Rams and the Le’Veon Bell-lead Steelers. Yet it was the double trouble situation of Ingram and Kamara that catapulted the Saints to the top overall spot in the ranking.

"“Ingram’s four-game suspension to begin the 2018 season is not enough to knock New Orleans from the top spot. Led by Ingram and Kamara, the Saints’ backfield paced the league in rushing yards (2,011), yards per carry (5.10), receptions (143), receiving yards (1,254) and total touchdowns (26) last season.New Orleans backs have flourished in the passing game during the Drew Brees/Sean Payton era, ranking first in the league in receptions (1,339), receiving yards (10,187) and touchdown catches (67) over the past decade. West and intriguing sixth-round pick Boston Scott are the favorites for No. 3 duties and could make some noise while Ingram is sidelined.”"

Next: 2018 NFL Playoffs: Matchups That Have Never Happened But Should

It will be interesting to see how the Saints adjust without Ingram who will serve a suspension at the beginning of the season. Kamara isn’t widely viewed as a feature-type of back. It’s likely the team will lean on their old ace Brees until Ingram returns, at which point defenses will realize their brief holiday is over. If they play like they did in 2017, there’s no question the Saints will be back in the mix of contenders by January.

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