The New Orleans Saints are still in the thick of the playoff hunt as they prepare for their Thursday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams are also fighting for a Wild Card spot, but the Saints can still win their division and even take first place this weekend depending on what happens with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Here are the 6 most compelling storylines we’re watching in Week 16:
1
Playoff implications
Believe it or not, the Saints don’t need to win the division to make the playoffs. They’re currently the 9th seed and fall last in a three way tie with the Rams and Seahawks. A victory on Thursday would put the Saints at least in front of the Rams. It would also put New Orleans in a position where winning one of the last two games puts them into the playoffs.
2
Can the Saints rush the passer successfully?
There are a lot of things the Saints should attempt to replicate from their performance versus the Giants. Rushing the passer was the biggest surprise of that game and repeating that will elevate the defense moving forward. New Orleans had 7 sacks against the Giants with rookie Bryan Bresee having his first multi-sack game. There isn’t an offense they can’t play with if the defensive line steps up.
3
Can New Orleans break their Thursday night skid?
My favorite number is 5, but this is the one time I’m not looking forward to seeing it. New Orleans has lost four Thursday Night Football games in a row including a matchup versus the Jaguars this year. The last time the Saints won a Thursday Night Football game was 2019.
4
Can the Saints offense have two good weeks in a row?
It has been a rocky situation all season long for the New Orleans Saints offense, but they are coming off of a nice performance against the New York Giants. The key to that game was simplicity, they didn’t try to do anything special. Instead, they focused on executing regular plays at a regular pace. As Chris Olave returns to the lineup, the Saints should look to repeat that gameplan and try to figure out if they can finally find an identity late into the season.
5
Can the Saints have their longest win streak of the season?
The Saints have won their last two games and are in search of their third in a row. They have yet to win three games in a row this season, instead having three different two-game streaks. The Saints have had a three-game streak in each of the last two seasons, with this being their last chance to secure one this season.
6
Can the Saints slow down Kyren Williams?
The Los Angeles Rams have a couple of star receivers that get a lot of praise, and rightfully so, but their running back is putting together one heck of a season. Williams has only fallen short of 100 yards twice since the start of October and has eclipsed 140 yards three times in that span. A struggling Saints run defense will have to buckle in to slow down the Rams rushing attack.
