The New Orleans Saints and Alvin Kamara set the rushing record for touchdowns in Week 16’s win against the Minnesota Vikings. In the Super Bowl era, no player has rushed for six touchdowns in a single game until now. The previous record was five, held by multiple players. On this Christmas day game, Alvin Kamara gifted every Saints fan and fantasy football owner with his performance. Kamara’s effort helped the New Orleans Saints clinch the NFC South for the fourth straight year as well. Alvin Kamara and the New Orleans Saints Christmas Day efforts set the stage for their upcoming postseason.
New Orleans Saints Alvin Kamara Set Rushing Record
Before today and in the Super Bowl era, three players were tied for the single-game touchdown rushing record. These players were Ricky Watters in 1994, James Stewart in 1997, and Clinton Portis in 2003. The NFL Super Bowl era started in 1967. Before this, the NFL adopted the Championship game format in 1933. In the 1933-1966 championship era, two other players matched this record: Jim Brown in 1959 and Cookie Gilchrist in 1963. One other player in the entirety of NFL history did have six rushing touchdowns. According to @ESPNstatsinfo, Ernie Nevers held this record before, tied for the longest-standing individual record in NFL history.
Alvin Kamara and the New Orleans Saints’ win was important for both team and player. The single-game touchdown record now has a new owner. Alvin Kamara rushed for six touchdowns this Christmas. Etched in the history books will be the date of December 25, 2020, for Kamara and the Saints. This important performance also won the New Orleans Saints the NFC South title for a fourth straight year. Winning the divisional also keeps the Saints in the running for the first seed in the NFC, currently owned by the Green Bay Packers.
Alvin Kamara Record-Setting Touchdown
Alvin Kamara looked as if he would be tied with the aforementioned players for most of the fourth quarter. The Minnesota Vikings scored a late touchdown and then missed an onside kick attempt. With slightly over two minutes left in the game, Drew Brees completed a pass to Adam Trautman. The 41-yard play took the ball all the way down to the Minnesota three-yard line. After the two-minute warning, Sean Payton called on Alvin Kamara once more. It would only take Kamara one try to complete the record. The Saints were ahead by 12 points when the Trautman play happened. Instead of kneeling on the ball to run out the clock, Payton let Kamara score the record-setting touchdown, much to the elation of every Saints player and fan.
New Orleans Saints Going Forward
Drew Brees is back under center for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints offense began to show progression in week 15’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after Brees’ return from injury. The offenses trend upward would continue in week 16. Brees threw for 311 yards against the Vikings to go along with Kamara’s six touchdowns. As Brees and the offense continue to become acclimated once again, the postseason prospects for the Saints could be high. A win next week against the divisional foe Carolina Panthers would guarantee the Saints at least the NFC second-seed in the playoffs. The New Orleans Saints will look to ride Alvin Kamara’s rushing record into the postseason.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
