Which player on the Minnesota Vikings’ defense will play the largest role in the team’s plan to stop the play-making New Orleans Saints rookie running back?
Ever since they shipped Adrian Peterson away to the Arizona Cardinals in October, the New Orleans Saints have been reaping the benefits of rookie running back Alvin Kamara getting more time out on the field. Since the Saints’ first game in which Peterson was no longer on their roster, Kamara has found the end zone 12 times (seven rush, four pass, one return) and averaged almost eight yards per touch.
When New Orleans and their talented rookie head to the Twin Cities on Sunday to face the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, who will the Vikings depend on to stop Kamara?
Minnesota used a variety of players to cover the young rookie running back on passing downs during their first meeting with the Saints this season.
Everyone on the Vikings’ defense from defensive end Danielle Hunter, to cornerback Trae Waynes, to safety Harrison Smith, to all three of the team’s starting linebackers (Anthony Barr, Ben Gedeon, and Eric Kendricks) all got an opportunity to cover Kamara at one time or another in Week 1.
When the game was finished, Minnesota earned the victory and the Saints’ rookie did not really do much damage. The Vikings’ defense held Kamara to just 38 total yards on 11 touches during their Week 1 matchup.
Minnesota Vikings
And before anyone rushes in to say that the rookie was not featured much for New Orleans when they played Minnesota because Peterson was on the roster, Kamara actually played more snaps that night than any other Saints running back.
If the Vikings’ game-plan on Sunday is anything similar to what it was for New Orleans in Week 1, than it should be expected that Barr will be given the task of keeping an eye on the young running back for most of the afternoon.
While Minnesota did have a variety of players cover Kamara during their first meeting, the Vikings’ Pro Bowl linebacker was the defender who chased the rookie around the most that night. Given that he has long arms, impressive strength, and great speed, Barr turned out to be a perfect match for Kamara in Week 1.
The Vikings’ linebacker did pretty well in pass coverage this season, only giving up one touchdown reception and just 7.7 yards per catch. So he can get the job done when needed.
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In order to get a win over Kamara and the Saints on Sunday, Minnesota will likely need Barr to get the job done once again.