Chicago Sun-Times

Gurley bracing for a shootout

- BY GREG BEACHAM

LOS ANGELES — Just a few weeks ago, the Saints’ first visit to Los Angeles since 1994 seemed highly unlikely to be a meeting of powerhouse division leaders.

But the Rams ( 7- 3) and Saints ( 8- 2) have been two of the NFL’s most pleasant surprises. New Orleans has won eight in a row after an 0- 2 start, while the Rams have dramatical­ly ended a decade of mediocrity with one of the league’s most exciting teams.

Quarterbac­k Jared Goff faces Drew Brees at the Coliseum on Sunday in a game that could have playoff- position implicatio­ns for two franchises that haven’t been on the league’s biggest stage in the last few years.

Both are eager to cement themselves as Super Bowl contenders with a key victory on their probable paths to the postseason.

“They’re fighting for the exact same things that we’re fighting for, and they’ve had a phenomenal season thus far,” Brees said.

New Orleans and Los Angeles boast two of the NFL’s three highest- scoring squads, both averaging more than 30 points. While Brees’ veteran experience contrasts sharply with Goff ’s youth and growth, the offenses also boast two of the NFL’s top running backs in Mark Ingram and Todd Gurley.

Although both defenses are solid, Gurley and the Rams realize they might have to outscore the Saints in a shootout.

“We’re a top- 10 offense, and if you’re playing against a top- 10 offense, you have to get your mind prepared for that,” Gurley said. “[ Brees] is a Hall of Fame quarterbac­k for a reason. He’s going to make plays, but we have a great defense. I believe those guys can stop him. . . . You just have to get the mind mentally prepared for that. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that, but you just have to know that you have to be on your ‘ A’ game.”

Although the Rams don’t have much experience in going back to work after losses this season, coach Sean McVay liked what he saw in his team’s resilience this week after a 24- 7 defeat at Minnesota snapped its four- game winning streak. The Rams will need it in a four- week stretch with three games against their fellow NFC division leaders.

The Saints have their own stretch of tough games coming up, but they’re riding a wave of confidence after their comeback overtime victory against the Redskins last week.

“When you win in a lot of different ways, no matter what the scenario, you feel like, ‘ Hey, we’ve been here before,’ ” Brees said. “‘ We know how to win. There’s just a belief in the confidence.”

These teams also met last year, and the Saints’ 49- 21 victory seemed personal. Coach Sean Payton poured it on against the defense of Gregg Williams, his former coordinato­r, with a dominant attack that included a touchdown pass on a flea- flicker in the fourth quarter when New Orleans already had a 21- point lead. The flourish annoyed some Rams.

“All I remember was I wasn’t playing in the fourth quarter because we were getting beat so bad, so that’s not a good thing,” Gurley said. “Obviously, we had coach Williams there, and coach Payton was trying to get after him, so hopefully it won’t be too aggressive this year. It definitely wasn’t good.”

Both teams have injury worries in the secondary, which means Brees and Goff could be able to challenge backup cornerback­s in coverage with top receivers. The Saints brought back veteran free agent Sterling Moore this week because of concerns about the health of Marshon Lattimore ( ankle) and Ken Crawley ( abdomen), their top two cornerback­s. The Rams are hoping starter Kayvon Webster will be cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol in time to play because backup Nickell Robey- Coleman ( thigh) probably will be out.

Two of the NFL’s top running backs will be showcased. Ingram has more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage and has been particular­ly effective the last two games, with 131 yards and three TDs against Buffalo and 131 yards and another TD against Washington. He’s fourth in the NFL with 806 yards rushing, while Gurley is right behind him with 791. Gurley is also the NFL’s top scorer among nonkickers with 66 points.

 ?? | AP ?? Rams running back Todd Gurley ( left) has rushed for 791 yards and is the NFL’s top scorer among non- kickers with 66 points.
| AP Rams running back Todd Gurley ( left) has rushed for 791 yards and is the NFL’s top scorer among non- kickers with 66 points.

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