NFL
By: George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams return to SoFi Stadium this Sunday as they host the New Orleans Saints in an NFC matchup. The Rams are looking to make 3 straight wins following their 35-7 victory over Jacksonville that saw their record improve to 5-2 heading into their bye week. The Saints are looking to bounce back following their 23-3 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that saw their record drop to 1-7 on the season.
In the Rams’ victory over Jacksonville, quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 21 of 33 passes for 182 yards and 5 touchdowns. For the most part, the Jaguars took away the deep pass option for Stafford and the Rams’ passing game. Stafford continues to take what the defense will give him and not force passes to his receivers. With Puka Nacua out with an ankle injury, Stafford spread the ball around more than usual, completing passes to 10 different receivers. Davante Adams led the way with 5 receptions for 35 yards and 3 touchdowns. Though Nacua is expected to play this week, look for Stafford to continue to spread the ball around to multiple receivers. The Rams have also announced that WR Tutu Atwell has been placed on the IR with a hamstring injury.
Rams head coach Sean McVay had used a more pass-oriented attack in the previous two games and went back to a more balanced offensive attack, with 29 rushing attempts and 33 pass attempts against Jacksonville. The Jaguars did hold the Rams to 89 rushing yards; however, Coach McVay continued to stay with the balanced attack. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 91 yards on 24 carries. Look for the Rams to go to their running game early and test a Saints defense that has allowed an average of 124 rushing yards per game.
With their offense having difficulties getting on track, Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced this week that the team will be making a change at quarterback. Rookie Tyler Shough will take over under center for the Saints. In limited action, Shough has passed for 128 yards with 1 interception this season. The Rams’ pass rush, led by edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young, will look to test the pass blocking of the Saints’ offensive line, as they have allowed 17 sacks this season. Look for Rams defensive coordinator to move Verse around the Rams defensive front to give him advantages in the pass rush.
WR Clive Olave is expected to be Shough’s top target in the Saints’ passing game. On the season, Olave has 52 receptions and 3 touchdowns. In the Saints’ multiple receiver formations, WRs Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks will factor into the Saints’ game plan. To help bolster their secondary, the Rams acquired defensive back Roger McCreary from the Tennessee Titans. How much time, if any, McCreary will play this weekend has not been stated by the team as of this time.
Saints running back Alvin Kamara will be a focal point in the Rams’ defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s scheme. Kamara is off to a slow start this season, rushing for 363 in the first 8 games. The Rams coaching staff knows that Kamara can carry the Saints offense on his back and will look to contain him and the Saints’ running game. DT Poona Ford, signed in the off-season to help the run defense, will look to plug up the running lanes between the guards and center. Look for the Rams to use different variations of their run blitz schemes to slow down the Saints’ rushing attack.
The Rams’ bye week came at a good time for the team, as it allowed players to tend to lingering injuries. The team comes into this week refreshed and ready to make their push towards the NFL playoffs. The Saints continue to look for their identity under Coach Moore and will look to a rookie quarterback to provide a much-needed spark to the offense. In the end, look for the Rams to improve to 6-2 with a dominating total team victory.
