Los Angeles Rams (8-7) – New Orleans Saints (7-8): 30-22
The Saints hadn't allowed a touchdown in their last two games. The Rams put three on them. The Los Angeles offense dominated this evening, scoring points on six of its nine possessions. The tenth? Used to eat up the last four minutes of the clock and ensure victory.
Matthew Stafford (24/34, 328 yards, 2 TDs) was therefore in control this Thursday. Always well helped by Puka Nacua (9 rec, 164 yards, 1 TD) and Kyren Williams (22 races, 104 yards, 1 TD).
The complete opposite of the Saints. New Orleans stood out above all for its lack of efficiency. Derek Carr (27/40, 319 yards, 3 TDs, 1 int) and his teammates failed three times on fourth down. The quarterback was intercepted in his own half during the third quarter. And when they woke up with two touchdowns late in the game, it was too late. The Rams covered the onside kick and ran the clock.
The Rams in entry control
14 actions. 95 yards. Almost 8 minutes. And above all a touchdown from Puka Nacua. It's hard to get off to a better start than the Rams' first possession. Especially since the contrast is striking when Derek Carr is sacked in the process on a 4th & 5.
The only flash of the first half for New Orleans, a 45-yard pass from Carr to Rashid Shaheed (5 rec, 70 yards, 1 TD), with a touchdown to boot (10-7). A defensive stop even gives the ball back to the visitors. But Carr was once again stopped on a fourth. This time, the Rams are ruthless: DeMarcus Robinson (6 rec, 82 yards, 1 TD) score before the break to widen the gap (17-7). Chris Olave (9 rec, 123 yards) gains ground, but he also makes a few errors, notably a loose ball on third attempt.
Returning from the locker room, Los Angeles scores a field goal, a touchdown from Williams and another kick. At the same time, interception and another failure on fourth down. 30 to 7, the match changed.
The Saints, too late
While we are already in the last period, the Saints attack finally lets go of the horses. Carr finds Juwan Johnson then AT Perry for touchdowns, even including a two-point conversion. There is only one possession left (30-22). As against the Commanders a few days earlier, the Rams are facing an onside kick. As against the Commanders, they recover. Behind, they eat up the rest of the time. New Orleans woke up too late.
This victory places the Rams more than ever in the race for the playoffs. Sean McVay's team currently sits in sixth place in the NFC with 8 wins.
The Saints are still in the race, with a crucial matchup against the Buccaneers coming up in Week 16.
