Week 10 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The game against the Ravens got away from the Saints, leading to Alvin Kamara receiving just nine carries last week. He did catch three passes, but overall, not a great fantasy day for Kamara. That likely will be the exception rather than the norm for Kamara. He should get back to being typical Kamara this week against the Steelers, who are about average in defending the run. Kamara is still a weekly RB1 and is this week is a decent matchup.
Week 9 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Alvin Kamara had done everything except score a touchdown this season. He more than made up for that last week against the Raiders, scoring three times to go along with 158 total yards and nine catches. Kamara now has 28 catches over the last four weeks. Safe to say you're starting him regardless of matchup, even against a Ravens defense that just added Roquan Smith.
Week 8 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Alvin Kamara is on a run of three games with at least six catches, totaling 19 over that span. He also has three straight games with at least 100 total yards. The downside is Kamara still hasn't scored a touchdown this season. Still, he gets plenty of yards and that will happen again this week against the Raiders, who aren't great against the pass, so Andy Dalton should look his way plenty, especially in what is looking like another week without Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry.
Week 7 at Arizona Cardinals
Thank goodness for Alvin Kamara because the Saints really needed him last week with all their top receivers out. Kamara totaled 124 yards (99 rushing) in what became a tough loss to the Bengals in Week 6. He also had his second straight game with six catches, a role that could continue with New Orleans missing most of their top guys (Chris Olave could play, however). Kamara is always a top option when he's on the field and that continues this week against a reeling Cardinals team.
Week 6 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Alvin Kamara returned from injury in a big way, totaling almost 200 yards against the Seahawks, including six catches for 91 yards. The Bengals are definitely a much tougher matchup for Kamara than the Seahawks, but Kamara is talented enough that he's pretty much matchup-proof when he is active and healthy.
Week 5 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Alvin Kamara wound up not playing last week in London, but he is expected to play this week against the Seahawks, a middle-of-the-pack rush defense. A limited Kamara is still an RB2 at least just because of how talented he is. He'll still be involved in the passing game and could still see about 15 carries, as he would share some of the work with Mark Ingram. Keep an eye on the Saints' injury reports this weekend, but Kamara said he feels good. Seattle just gave up over 100 yards rushing to Jamaal Williams last week.
Week 4 vs. Minnesota Vikings (London)
Alvin Kamara continues to deal with a nagging rib issue, but he has been able to practice this week, so he should be good to go against the Vikings, who are sporting one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL through three weeks. And if you know your history, you know about Kamara's past performances against the Vikings, namely Christmas 2020 (six rushing touchdowns).
Week 3 at Carolina Panthers
The sense is that Alvin Kamara will play Sunday against the Panthers after being inactive in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. The Saints were perhaps just being cautious with Kamara. If he plays, he's always worth a start, especially against a Panthers team that ranks 24th in DVOA against the run.
Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Alvin Kamara got off to a good start last week against the Falcons, rushing for 39 yards on nine carries. Then, he left with a rib injury. Now, he's very questionable for Sunday against the Buccaneers. In fact, Kamara did not practice Thursday, a downgrade from being limited on Wednesday. Keep a very close eye on New Orleans' injury report on Friday and the inactives on Sunday. If Kamara plays, you're starting him. Even a limited Kamara still has plenty of upside. Kamara has a touchdown in three of his last four games against the Buccaneers. Just make sure he is actually playing first.
Week 1 at Atlanta Falcons
The last time we saw Alvin Kamara on the football field, he was shredding the Falcons to the tune of 146 yards on 30 carries. He over 100 total yards in both meetings with Atlanta last season. Look who he gets Week 1 this season. With no suspension looming for Kamara, he's locked in as an RB1 yet again.
