The 5-2 Los Angeles Rams will host the 1-7 New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium in what will be just the third NFC conference game this year for Sean McVay’s squad. New Orleans is coming off a 23-3 loss
to their divisional rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Rams and Saints are headed in opposite directions but this game carries a lot of significance for LA looking to climb in the NFC standings. New Orleans has playmakers on their roster but the quarterback position has weighed them down from competing in most games. Tyler Shough will take center stage as the team opted to bench Spencer Rattler. Here is a deeper outlook on each team’s position breakdown headed into Sunday’s game.
QB Breakdown: These teams couldn’t be further apart when it comes to who they have operating under center. Stafford is in Year 17 while Shough will make his first NFL start. Stafford is arguably having his best NFL season to date. Stafford leads the NFL in touchdown passes despite playing one less game (bye week) than the majority of quarterbacks. Stafford is also third in passing yards and will look to elevate himself further in that standing. If Stafford can continue to protect the football, he very well might be the NFL’s MVP bye the end of the year.
Shough will be tasked with leading an offense that is 29th in PPG (16.0). There may not be a ton of pressure on Shough to produce in this game because of the opponent so this may actually be of benefit to him.
RB Breakdown: Kyren Williams has been pretty pedestrian in the run game; only averaging 4.4 per carry and scoring two touchdowns. He’s actually more beneficial out of the backfield as a checkdown option; scoring three touchdowns and on pace to have his best statistical receiving season.
Alvin Kamara is a shell of his former self. The dual threat back is only logging about 15 touches per game with 63 total yards. Kendre Miller has been the more efficient running back (4.1 > 3.6) in terms of yards per carry.
WR Breakdown: Puka Nacua is set to return to the Rams following a mid-game injury in Baltimore in Week 6. He was forced to miss the game against the Jaguars in London but according to Sean McVay, it may have been a blessing in disguise for the offense. Davante Adams showed off his athleticism in the red zone; catching three touchdowns from Stafford. Konata Mumpfield found his way onto the field despite being a 7th round pick and collected his first career touchdown.
The only negative for Week 9 is that Tutu Atwell will miss the next four games because of a lingering hamstring injury. While critics will continue to point out his lack of production, I still believe the speedster provides a different dimension to the offense. Look no further than his game-winning touchdown against Indianapolis and his explosive play against San Francisco in overtime.
The Saints have their own superstar in Chris Olave, who is 13th in receiving yards (503). Brandin Cooks provides speed on the outside while Rashid Shaheed operates in the X-role for the offense. This will be one of the more well-rounded receiving corps the Rams face off against since they squared off against Philadelphia in Week 4.
TE Breakdown: The Rams surprised many when they used 13 personnel in Week 7. The group was heavily featured, hauling in 8 receptions (13 targets) for 101 yards and a touchdown. Stafford only threw for 182 yards in the game. Terrance Ferguson hauled in his first career TD on the 4th & 1 touchdown play action to put the Rams up 28-0. A lot of reporters have speculated that LA would be interested in a tight end like Mark Andrews at the deadline, however I see no evidence to suggest that LA would spend draft capital and cap space on another tight end.
The Saints have a stud in their tight end room with Juwan Johnson. The 6th year pro has 36 receptions, 368 yards, and 1 score this year. Johnson is on pace for his best receiving mark. Taysom Hill is also a swiss-army knife for the Saints and could be an option for rookie Tyler Shough to get involved as a safety blanket.
OL Breakdown: The Rams offensive has been finding a groove in the past few weeks despite some changes. Steve Avila has looked like his rookie version at the left guard spot. Kevin Dotson is considered one of the best right guards in the league. The only spot on the offensive line that has been uncertain as been right tackle. However, Warren McClendon has done an impeccable job the last three weeks with Rob Havenstein missing time due to an ankle injury. McClendon’s ascension has actually caused fans and others to consider a scenario in which McClendon becomes the permanent starter moving forward even with a healthy Havenstein. Either way, Stafford has only been sacked 11 times in 7 games. If LA can keep their quarterback upright, they will be playing into and through January.
DL Breakdown: The Rams defensive front was stout in the first half of the season even when facing off against the top running backs in the league. They performed admirably even with Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner off to a slow start. Fiske’s Week 7 tape popped and the Rams could finally be a full strength with their defensive line featuring Ford, Turner, Fiske, and Davis. With how deep this team is, they just wear down offensive linemen through four quarters.
The Saints have a respectable defensive line themselves with third year pro Bryan Bresee and veteran Cam Jordan. Jordan is no longer the all pro defender he was in the late 2010s but the Rams will still need to account for the 36 year old.
EDGE Breakdown: The fearsome duo of Byron Young and Jared Verse continues to wreak havoc on opposing offensive linemen. The bash bros have combined for 68 pressures and 14 sacks in 7 games. No team has shown an ability to slow them down except for maybe San Francisco.
Chase Young, the former second overall pick, has revived his career in New Orleans under Brandon Staley. After signing a three year deal in the offseason, Young now owns a 90.5 PFF grade – 5th among all NFL edge rushers. On the opposite side of him, Carl Granderson will also be looking to bring down Stafford.
LB Breakdown: Omar Speights returned in Week 7 after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 5. I still believe that Dolac is the better option but for now Landman’s running mate will be Speights.
Demario Davis continues to man the middle for the New Orleans defense. Bobby Wagner has received a lot of praise for his longevity and durability but Davis has played in more games in that 14 year span.
DB Breakdown: The Rams upgraded their cornerback room with the trade addition of Roger McCreary from the Tennessee Titans. I think this was a fantastic move considering the low risk-high reward potential. For this week, I don’t foresee McCreary getting on the field but stranger things have happened. At full health, this unit could be in good shape by the end of the season with Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Roger McCreary, Quentin Lake, Akhello Witherspoon, and Emmanuel Forbes. For now, Lake-Durant-Forbes figure to be the threesome with Williams and Witherspoon nursing injuries.
Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Justin Reid, and Jonas Sanker will be trying to slow down Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Staley’s secondary has allowed the 9th-fewest passing yards. The only other top 10 pass defense that Stafford has faced this year is Houston (4th-fewest). In that game, Stafford threw for 245 yards and one touchdown.
ST Breakdown: Both units are not great at special teams. Josh Karty is 10-14 with FGs (long of 51) while Blake Grupe is 15-21 (long of 54). Ethan Evans is averaging 41.6 net yards/punt while Kai Kroeger is only averaging 34.7 net yards/punt.
I think this week could feature a special teams touchdown, and hopefully LA is on the positive side of that prediction.
Coaching Breakdown: Sean McVay will square off against his former defensive coordinator in 2020, Brandon Staley. Staley’s scheme has largely remain intact with Los Angeles despite his departure after the ‘20 season, when he took the Chargers head coaching job. Unfortunately, Staley has not been able to have sustained success since his tenure with the Rams. McVay and Staley have been known to have their battles with one another as Staley is a branch from the Vic Fangio tree.
Chris Shula will be tasked with stopping first year HC Kellen Moore and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. While Shough is a rookie, there is not a ton of tape on him and that can sometimes be a challenge in itself. Shula’s 3rd ranked defense (16.7 ppg allowed) should have the advantage against the 29th ranked New Orleans offense that averages 16.0 ppg.
Who do you have winning: Los Angeles or New Orleans? What matchup are you most excited to watch closely? Add your comments about key positional matchups in the comments below.
