Rams Hold Off Saints, Strengthen Wild Card Bid
The Los Angeles Rams have ostensibly been in the playoffs for the last six weeks.
With almost zero margin for error since their loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field, the Rams could not afford many more setbacks for the remainder of the year.
And with that mindset, the Rams have gone on a tear, now winning five of their last six games with their 30-22 win of the New Orleans Saints in L.A. on Thursday Night Football.
Puka Nacua celebrates his touchdown vs. the Saints.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Things got started quickly for the Rams as well, with Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua leading the offense down the field for an opening drive touchdown.
Shortly after that, a field goal extended the lead to two scores, with the Rams looking to be in firm control.
The Saints were able to answer after that, with QB Derek Carr connecting on a long touchdown pass. But after that, the Rams asserted their dominance rattling off 20 unanswered points, to take a 30-7 lead.
Then, the Saints made things a little tense at SoFi, scoring 15 unanswered points of their own to cut the game to one score at 30-22.
The Rams were able to seal things from there, however, taking home the critical win.
And once again Stafford was the straw that stirred the drink of the Rams' offense, finishing the game by completing 24 of 34 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns, extending his streak of stellar play.
Stafford also at least six passes to three different receivers, including Nacua, who finished the game with nine catches for 164 yards and a score. DeMarcus Robinson also had another big ga,e, catching six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown of his own.
Then, of course, there was running back Kyren Williams, who has emerged as a star this season, ending Thursday night with 22 rushes for 104 yards and a touchdown, and becoming the first Rams running back to eclipse 1,000 yards since Todd Gurley in 2018.
Following the battle with the Saints, the Rams (8-7) will continue their playoff push next week when they head east to take on the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on New Year's Eve.
Luckily for the Rams, they will have plenty of time to get ready for the critical matchup, with 10 days until kickoff in East Rutherford, NJ.
