Running back Alvin Kamara can carry a team.

Especially if that team is missing its starting quarterback and needs to control the time of possession in order to win.

But that wasn't the case on Thursday night. New Orleans' star running back only received 11 carries for 49 yards and no touchdowns. Instead, Dennis Allen and his coaching staff opted to throw the ball 47 times with Andy Dalton, producing mixed results (four touchdowns and three interceptions).

Despite having the ball in favorable positions three times before halftime, New Orleans opted not to use its premiere touchdown threat in Kamara. As a result, Dalton threw three untimely interceptions that dug New Orleans' grave before it could fight back.

The final score: Arizona 42, New Orleans 34.

The recipe for success this season is clear — feed Kamara.

In New Orleans' most recent victory, Kamara ran the ball 23 times for 103 yards. The offense held another dimension with him running hard and making would-be tacklers miss. Yet, in the last two weeks, New Orleans has gone away from utilizing Kamara as much as it ought to.

Against Cincinnati, Kamara amassed 99 rushing yards. And on Thursday night, Kamara only saw 11 carries.

To give New Orleans credit, the offense did try to Kamara involved in the passing game. Kamara caught seven passes for 56 yards and no scores. But still, it wasn't enough to overcome Dalton's incredulous turnovers.

New Orleans should have never been in that position in the first place if only from the start the offense went to its best player early and often.

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Feature image via Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports