Three matchups to watch: Saints at Rams

By Ross Jackson

The West Coast has become a very familiar destination for the New Orleans Saints who have hosted, at minimum portions, of their training camps the last two years in Orange County, Calif. with joint practices in years prior to that. As the Saints arrive in The Golden State this week, they brace to take on the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.

Throughout the game, key matchups will determine the action. The Saints’ secondary will be tasked with limiting an offensive with explosive potential while the New Orleans run game looks to get off the ground. Meanwhile, a battle of inconsistent kicking games could play a role.

Saints CB Kool-Aid McKinstry vs. Rams WR Puka Nacua

While McKinstry will also be matched up with wideout Davante Adams throughout the game, it may be his reps against Nacua that play a larger role in the game. Even after missing a game in Week 7 with an ankle injury, Nacua is the most commonly targeted player in the Rams’ offense. He’s been on the other end of 27.3% of quarterback Mattew Stafford’s passing attempts so far this season. 

The Saints’ defense ranks near the middle of the pack in most wide receiver pass defense metrics (yards allowed, completion, touchdown to interception ratio allowed to receivers) and McKinstry has had a strong few games after a rocky start to the season. The second-year cornerback allowed 75% of his targets to be caught in the first four games of the season, but has allowed just 56% in the four games since. He has also shot up from one pass breakup to four in each of those four-game splits, as well.

This will be a key matchup in terms of keeping points off the board, lightening the load for the team’s rookie starting quarterback Tyler Shough. This could also be one of the matchups most important to answering the call of defensive end Cameron Jordan, who wants to see the defense take the ball away more down the stretch. 

Saints’ offensive line vs. Rams’ defensive line

This is likely where the game is won or lost. The trenches always come off as a cliche, but this is a remarkably important matchup for the Saints. Without proper protection up front against a challenging and talented defensive line, rookie quarterback Shough could be in for a long day. Meanwhile, if the Saints’ line can’t get the push it needs up front in the run game, things get even more challenging.

Rams defensive ends Jared Verse and Byron Young will be the focus with Saints’ offensive tackles Taliese Fuaga and rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. having surrendered a combined 49 of the Saints’ 119 pressures allowed, per Pro Football Focus this year.

New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara is listed as questionable going to this game, presenting the possibility of further complications. However, he visited with local media on Thursday, which is typically indicative of positive progress towards availability.

Saints K Blake Grupe vs. Rams K Joshua Karty

Both Grupe and Karty have made just 71.4% of their field goal attempts so far this season, tying for the second-lowest field goal percentage in the NFL for kickers with at least 10 attempts. Karty also has the second-lowest percentage of extra points made among those with 20 tries. 

On top of it all, the Rams have already seen four of Karty’s kicking attempts blocked just this year.

If, to the shock of many, this game is close down the stretch, either one of these kickers could be called upon to put the game away. Choosing whether or not to trust them to do so could be the crux of the Monday morning quarterback conversations. Similarly, with a heavy favorite like the Rams (14.5 points on FanDuel Sportsbook) finding a way to beat yourself can lead to big upsets. Karty could be a primary contributor to just enough missteps for the door to be left open for head coach Kellen Moore and the Saints.