Peter Casey-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints are headed back to the West Coast, this time to take on the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The 5-2 Rams are tied on top of the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks and hold just a half-game lead over the 5-3 San Francisco 49ers. Meanwhile, the Saints are marching into town with a rookie quarterback, Tyler Shough, set to see his first start.
There are several intriguing narratives in this game, but paramount among them for the Rams is the chance to get back a big name to help their offense.
Wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to make his return from injury against the Saints.
The collective “of course” can easily be heard from across the Who Dat Nation. After weeks of taking on opponents that are missing key pieces and talent, this week, they may be facing a Rams team that is only getting healthier. An ankle injury sidelined Nacua in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even then, quarterback Matthew Stafford diced up the opposition on his way to a five-touchdown pass game. Now, the offense could be back to full strength across its weapons with Nucua and Davante Adams available.
The Rams are retooling their secondary.
With cornerback Darious Williams managing injury, the Rams recently traded for former Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary from the Tennessee Titans. The 2022 second-round pick may be thrust into action immediately to help the one area that the Rams’ defense has struggled to uphold: the passing defense.
Los Angeles has a “look ahead” risk in facing New Orleans.
The Rams’ opponents that follow this Week 9 game against the Saints are the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They will also have a second bout with the Seahawks and a meeting with the Detroit Lions later in the season. There’s a real risk for the Rams to look past the Saints with a gauntlet of a schedule ahead.
Matthew Stafford is getting MVP buzz.
After Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has struggled over the last couple of weeks, MVP focus is shifting to other quarterbacks, as is tradition. New England Patriots passer Drake Maye is a hot name while Stafford is more of a dark horse candidate. But his ability this season to spread the ball around and put together numerous three-or-more passing touchdown performances this season will keep him in focus. Stafford has thrown for 1,866 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions while completing 63.4% of his passes.
The Rams have one of the best defensive lines in football.
Currently ranking second in sacks across the league, the Rams’ impressive defensive line talent was built from the ground up. With defensive ends Jared Verse and Byron Young leading the way with a combined 13 sacks through their first seven games and stout interior defenders contributing, the Rams are a force in the defensive trenches. That could provide the Saints and their rookie quarterback with some tough situations to manage.
New Orleans is currently ranked inside the top-10 in pressure surrendered this year, so the matchup isn’t favorable when it comes to buying time for the passing game.
