Is this the week the Rams finally turn things around and start to dig themselves out of a hole? It’s a good spot for them to do just that, even with the number of injuries they’re currently dealing with.
The Rams get a banged-up Saints team that’s missing Marshon Lattimore, Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport on defense, as well as others on offense. It’s never easy to win in the Superdome for a visiting team, but the Rams have experience taking down the Saints in the raucous building, beating them in the NFC title game four seasons ago.
Both teams look dramatically different now, of course, changing quarterbacks and plenty of their personnel and coaches. They’re in similar spots, too, with their playoff hopes quickly slipping away from grasp.
So which of these struggling NFC teams will save its season today? And which one will sink further behind in the conference standings? I’m going with the Rams on the road, which seems unwise given the way they’ve played.
I think they’ll find a way to overcome the absence of Cooper Kupp, potentially getting more creative and spreading the ball around on offense. Obviously, they can’t replace the production of the reigning triple crown winner, but Allen Robinson and Van Jefferson are each capable of stepping up.
And on defense, the Rams mostly have to focus their attention on Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave. Enter Bobby Wagner and Jalen Ramsey, two of the best players at their positions. If the Rams can limit those two playmakers, they’re going to hold the Saints under 20 points, and that should be enough for a win – even with this anemic offense.
Give me the Rams in a close one.
Final score prediction: Rams 20, Saints 17
