Saints can run and play defense; Rams have dynamic offense

Suppose you were told the New Orleans Saints could run the ball and play defense, and Drew Brees was still their quarterback.

And you were informed that the Los Angeles Rams had a dynamic offense to go with a physical defense.

What you would have is a terrific matchup of division leaders. It happens Sunday at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

New Orleans (8-2) is showing more balance than at any time since Brees arrived in 2006 and began setting passing records.

Los Angeles Rams has made a swift and impressive turnaround under first-year coach Sean McVay, who has quarterback Jared Goff playing like a first overall draft selection should.

The Saints started with two losses and haven’t been on the short end of the score since.

“Specifically, we opened at Minnesota, which is obviously a good football team and a tough place to play, and didn’t play well enough,” coach Sean Payton says.

“And then the following week versus New England. I think we did as a team feel like those next two weeks on the road at Carolina and then on the road to London — we went right from Carolina to London — we felt that two-game stretch was going to be critical for this team if we were going to aspire to do something.

“I think Carolina was a good win for us ... and then carried it over to London for the second win before our bye. That two-game stretch would certainly be, not just because it was our first two wins, but it was building some confidence and that you can think it or wish it or hope to have it, but it generally just comes from demonstrated ability.”

The similar demonstrated ability has been present with the Rams. Except they didn’t struggle early, instead winning three of their first four.