The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Teams look for controversy-free NFC title game rematch
LOS ANGELES — The Rams would like to beat the Saints this time without help from the absence of a flag.
Los Angeles’ 26-23 over- time win over New Orleans in last season’s NFC Championship game had wild momen- tum swings and exciting per- formances from two of the best offenses in NFL history — and two defenses who did a surprisingly solid job of slowing them.
But the game is sure to go down in football annals mostly for the uncalled pass interference by Rams corner- back Nickell Robey-Coleman against Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis late in the fourth quarter. Although the legal challenges were dropped this week, many Saints fans still haven’t stopped complaining about the non-call that prompted the NFL to change its replay review rules in the offseason.
“That’s a New Orleans problem,” Rams cornerback Aqib Talib said. “That’s not an L.A. problem.”
The Rams and their fans have a different overriding reflection they’re taking into the teams’ marquee early-season rematch at the Coliseum today.
“I remember we won,” Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “That’s what I remember.”
Indeed, the Rams reached their first Super Bowl in 17 years after holding the Saints’ high-octane offense to 290 yards and allowing just 10 points after the first quarter. Phillips and his defense will try for a repeat of that excel- lence against Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, while the Saints’ defense must contend again with Todd Gurley, Jared Goff and the Rams’ solid receivers.
Their fans might be another matter, but the Saints (1-0) aren’t wasting time think- ing about the Super Bowl that got away. Coach Sean Payton realizes his team got the ball first in overtime but couldn’t finish.
“It feels like it was a long time ago,” Payton said. “It’s part of our game. These are two different teams now. A lot of roster moves from last year to this year. We’re playing each other early in the season, so it doesn’t feel like that many games ago ... but you’re looking at two different teams.”