Getty Gallery: 2/6
No. 1 Los Angeles Rams
No. 2 New Orleans Saints
The Rams have bounced back with three straight wins since losing to the Saints a month ago. Los Angeles put up a modest 30 points against the Lions in Week 13, but it got the job done. The win sealed the NFC West for the Rams and a postseason birth.
Jared Goff threw for just 207 yards, but it was good enough to win comfortably over the Lions. Todd Gurley had a typical day with 132 yards and two touchdowns.
"We're in a position right now that we feel good about," Rams head coach Sean McVay told ESPN. "If we take care of our business, all the rest of that stuff takes care of itself."
Los Angeles may have secured a playoff spot, but the Rams are still competing with teams like the Saints for home field advantage throughout the postseason. The Rams were able to gain a game on the Saints since they lost to the Cowboys.
The Rams have a difficult upcoming Sunday Night Football matchup against the Bears. We have the Rams ranked above the Saints based on how they have looked as of late and having one less loss than New Orleans.
The Saints Finally Lost After Winning 10 Straight Games
In one of the most shocking games of the NFL season, the Saints were upset by the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. It was not the Cowboys winning that was so shocking, but it was the way the Dallas defense was able to shut down a typically dynamic Saints offense.
Drew Brees threw for just 127 yards and the running game also struggled. Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram combined for just 63 rushing yards.
"I felt like we didn't really find a rhythm for pretty much the whole game," Brees explained to ESPN. "I guess we may have had one decent drive. ... So credit to them....No. This was the next game, it was a big game. It was the most important game of the season because it was a big game. We just came out and didn't play with the tempo and rhythm, I think, that we're used to."
The Saints had won 10 straight games but were bound for an off week at some point. Dallas is trending up and are the new favorites to win the NFC East. New Orleans has a chance to get back on track next week as they face the Bucs on the road. After their loss to the Cowboys, Saints head coach Sean Payton noted there would be a lot to learn from watching film of the disappointing performance.
"[The Cowboys] played a heck of a game, deserved to win the game. ... It starts with us as coaches, the plan going in," Payton told ESPN. "There will be a lot we watch on tape, and regret certain plays. But before we get into any of that, you really gotta tip your hat to the way they played."
0 Comments