Hot Saints knock off Rams
New Orleans shows who’s boss in NFC South
NEW ORLEANS – Sunday’s matchup between the NFC’s elite did not disappoint. The Saints came in with a sixgame winning streak and extended it to seven by out-shooting the Rams 4535 and handing Los Angeles its first loss of the season.
“We knew we had to executive at a high level,” said Saints receiver Michael Thomas, who set a team record with 211 receiving yards on 12 catches and the touchdown that put away the game late in the fourth quarter.
Here are three things we learned in this track meet: The Saints defense is underrated: The Saints and Rams offenses drew much of the attention entering this game, and rightfully so because of their video game-like explosiveness, elitelevel passers and running backs and big-play receivers.
But the Saints won Sunday’s game because of their defense. New Orleans’ unit isn’t considered one of the most dominant in the league. It entered the game middle-of-the-pack statistically. But the Saints defenders delivered huge stands for their team, late in the first half and again with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. Three strong Saints stands in the second quarter led to two turnovers on a loss of downs and an interception. New Orleans’ offense
then cashed those possessions in for three consecutive touchdowns, which gave them a 35-17 halftime lead.
The Rams did come back in the second half to tie the score at 35 with nine minutes left. But that’s when the Saints buckled back down on defense and held the Rams scoreless the remainder of the game thanks largely to key pass breakups and quarterback pressures.
In contrast, the Rams defense did well in the third quarter but wilted in the fourth (struggled on third downs for much of the game) and failed to deliver the stops when the team needed them.
The
The Rams miss Aqib Talib:
Rams have invested heavily in their defense, but it’s evident that the absence of No. 1 cornerback Aqib Talib, who is still rehabbing from ankle surgery, is no small thing. Marcus Peters did well in the first two games of the season, but he has struggled while having to fill that top cornerback role, and Sunday night he had one of his worst games as he surrendered 12 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown to Thomas on 15 targets. Thomas’ biggest play came when he torched Peters for a 72-yard touchdown reception that put the Saints up by 10 with 3:42 left in the game.
The Rams pass-rushers didn’t generate as much pressure as they would have liked, but they didn’t have much help in the way of pass coverage to cause Brees to hold onto the ball a split second longer. The Rams haven’t re- vealed a return date for Talib, but they hope to get him back late in the season, which will be crucial, particularly in the playoffs where they very likely will see the Saints again.
Saints are the most complete team:
Both teams entered this game with great hype because of their offenses, and the Rams have the more star-studded defense, but it’s clear the Saints are the most complete team in the NFC. Sean Payton and Sean McVay share a mutual admiration for each other and often study each other’s game film and game plans in hopes of learning something that will help their own offenses operate better. Payton and McVay both delivered electrifying performances as play-callers, but it was Payton who got the best of the younger coach.
Give the Saints offensive line much credit. Not only did it pave the way for a strong rushing attack, but it didn’t surrender a sack to a vaunted Rams defensive line.
One thing the Rams don’t have in comparison with the Saints is two No. 1 running backs. Todd Gurley is an MVP candidate, but the Saints found ways to limit his impact. New Orleans had the edge at running back in this game, though, because it has the ability to throw changeups. The Saints can go to Mark Ingram and then go to Alvin Kamara, and ride the hot hand. Kamara and Gurley possess similar versatility. But Kamara just might be the better pass catcher and route runner. And of course, as mentioned, the Saints defenders might not be as highly touted, but they are indeed a talented bunch that should only get better as the season progresses.