Rams Offense Poses A Challenge For Saints Defense

Two units on a roll square off as the Saints try to slow the Rams offense in a crucial matchup.

The New Orleans Saints (7-7) come into Week 16 looking for their third consecutive victory. Doing so would keep them at least tied on top of the NFC South and in the thick of the wild-card race. They'll also have to do it on the road, with a short week when they take on the Los Angeles Rams (7-7) on Thursday night.

The Saints enter this week on a defensive roll. New Orleans is coming off their best game of the year defensively in a 24-6 throttling of the New York Giants. They held New York to only 193 yards of total offense and haven't given up a touchdown in the last two games. The Saints have struggled with stopping the run but are one of the NFL's best units against the pass and are near the top of the league at forcing turnovers. 

The Rams offense also enters Week 16 on a roll. Los Angeles has won four of their last five and have averaged 33 points in their previous four outings. The Rams are an explosive bunch that can beat defenses in multiple ways. 

Here's how these two units match up in a pivotal game for each team's playoff hopes.

Rams Offensive Statistics 

Nov 20, 2022; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) makes a throw against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY

Total Offense 

• 357.2 yards per game (8th)
• 23.4 points/game (9th)
• 3rd Down Efficiency = 10th 
• Red Zone Efficiency = 11th 

Passing 

• 236 yards/game (11th) 
• 27 sacks

Rushing 

• 121.3 yards/game (11th)
• 4.4/carry

Saints vs. Rams: A First Look at Week 16's Matchup

Veteran QB Matthew Stafford is the perfect signal caller for coach Sean McVay's attack. Stafford has completed 61.4% of his throws with 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He is a gunslinger with three 300-yard outings, three more of at least 269 yards, and the arm to stretch defenses. 

Stafford has two incredible wideouts to target. Seven-year veteran Cooper Kupp got a late start to the year because of injury, but has been nearly unguardable in the last 10 games since returning. Over that span, Kupp has 49 receptions for 658 yards with four touchdowns and four 100-yard outings. Kupp is extremely quick off the snap and makes even the best corners look foolish with his elite route precision. 

September 15, 2019; Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (18) breaks away for a long gain against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie fifth-round choice Puka Nacua went from an afterthought at the draft to surprisingly consistent production. Nacua kept the Rams offense operating at a high level when Kupp was out and has remained highly productive with 87 catches and 1,163 yards with four touchdowns. Explosive after the catch and possessing excellent body control on contested throws, Nacua has five 100-yard games and four more with at least 70 yards.

Third-year WR Tutu Atwell is undersized but has game-breaking speed. Atwell has a career-best 37 catches for 403 yards and two scores as a dangerous complement to Nacua and Kupp. Demarcus Robinson and Ben Skowronek don't see many throws, but allow the Rams to attack defenses with quality four and five WR sets.

Tight end Tyler Higbee has been an underrated contributor in this offense the last four seasons. Higbee has 38 catches, third on the team, for 403 yards and two scores. Stafford doesn't hesitate to look for him in clutch situations. Davis Allen and Brycen Hopkins are mainly blockers and extensions of the offensive line. 

Dec 17, 2023; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the ball against Washington. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY

An overlooked aspect of the Rams' attack in 2023 has been a punishing ground game. Second-year RB Kyren Williams has emerged as a top-tier back with 953 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in only ten games of action. 

Williams has averaged 131 yards on the ground over the last five contests, including four of his five 100-yard outings. With 30 catches for 192 yards and three more scores, he's also a quality receiver for the team out of the backfield. Proven veteran RB Royce Freeman provides solid depth. 

A bruising offensive line has paved the way for the Rams to average 168 rushing yards over their last four games. They are also obviously critical for protecting the immobile Stafford. Los Angeles has allowed 27 sacks this season but five and several other pressures over their last two contests. 

Saints Defensive Statistics 

Oct 29, 2023; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) throws a pass under pressure from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Total Defense 

• 311.9 yards per game (11th)
• 19.1 points/game (6th)
• 22 turnovers forced (5th)
• 3rd Down Efficiency = 4th
• Red Zone Efficiency = 13th 

Passing 

• 185.4 yards/game (6th)
• 14 interceptions (5th)
• 30 sacks 
• 57.3% completion percentage 

Rushing 

• 126.4 yards/game (24th)
• 4.5 per carry (27th)

New Orleans edge defenders have been wildly inconsistent and a bit disappointing as far as production much of the year. However, the unit has come on stronger recently. Perennial Pro Bowl DE Cameron Jordan has been dealing with a severe ankle injury for nearly a month. He hasn't missed any games, but he's been noticeably hobbled with his snaps significantly limited. 

Carl Granderson is having a breakout year at the other end for the Saints. Granderson has 7.5 sacks, 18 QB hits, 26 pressures, and 12 tackles for loss to lead the team in all four categories. He went through a mid-season slump after a great start but has bounced back with strong performances the last two games. 

Tanoh Kpassagnon had the best game of his career last week against the Giants with three sacks and four pressures. Zack Baun has also been much more disruptive now that he's being used in his natural role as a downhill defender rather than an off-ball linebacker. Both need to build on that momentum, especially with Jordan still slowed.

Defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd and rookie Bryan Bresee have also been dominant in the past two games. They've combined for six sacks, 13 QB hits, and eight tackles for loss on the year while doing a nice job at stonewalling the inside running game. Bresee, in particular, has flashed signs of a potential superstar, while Khalen Saunders has played better in recent weeks to bolster the interior defense.

Oct 8, 2023; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive ends Tanoh Kpassagnon (92) and Cameron Jordan (94). Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints have been porous against the run much of the year and had one of the NFL's worst sack outputs. Over the last two weeks, they have recorded 11 sacks and 26 pressures. Much of their struggles against the run have come on the edge or outside the numbers. 

Veteran LB Demario Davis is still a terrific all-around defender and has played like a man possessed the last few weeks. The tenacious heart of the defense, Davis, has nine tackles for loss among his team's 102 total stops. He also has 6.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, and has broken up four passes in coverage. His elite instincts and anticipation allow him to make game-changing plays for the defense. 

Fellow LB Pete Werner hasn't been nearly as reliable and can be a liability in man coverage. However, Werner is an extremely aggressive run defender and shows decent awareness in zone duties. 

Few defensive backfields are as aggressive as the Saints against the run. Their suffocating coverage and ability to create turnovers have been the difference for the unit, even with elite CB Marshon Lattimore on injured reserve. 

Corner Paulson Adebo is having a season worthy of All-Pro consideration. A physical athlete, Adebo has four interceptions, 15 passes broken up, and allows less than a 54% completion rate when targeted. Without Lattimore, he's proven capable of covering an opponent's best wideout. 

Oct 29, 2023; New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) intercepts a pass for Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Second-year cornerback Alontae Taylor has had an up-and-down year while adjusting to a slot role. He's arguably the best tackler in the secondary and has a sack to go along with six tackles for loss. Taylor's coverage skills also stand out. While he does not have an interception, he's broken up 12 throws and allows less than 62% completion percentage. 

The unexpected standout player for the Saints this season has been CB Isaac Yiadom, who has excelled when filling in for Adebo and Lattimore. Despite seeing heavy targets, Yiadom has responded with an interception and 13 passes broken up while allowing just a 41% completion percentage. 

Veteran S Tyrann Mathieu may have lost a step in man coverage, but he still has amazing anticipation and playmaking instincts. Most effective now as a deep safety, Mathieu expertly baits quarterbacks and has three interceptions and seven passes broken up. 

With Marcus Maye on injured reserve, rookie S Jordan Howden has shown promise with his opportunity. Howden is a good athlete but must hone his coverage instincts. He's also proven extremely effective as a blitzer and run defender when used near the line of scrimmage. 

What to Watch 

Nov 20, 2022; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) signals a play against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY

Sean McVay's passing attack has always given fits to Dennis Allen's defenses. The biggest matchup of the day will be whether New Orleans CBs Adebo, Taylor, and Yiadom can shut down agile Los Angeles WRs Kupp, Nacua, and Atwell. 

It would help tremendously if Davis and the Saints defensive line can disrupt Stafford with heavy pressure. While not mobile, Stafford has a quick release but can throw the ball up for grabs when consistently pressured.

The New Orleans defensive front and Davis are also tasked with slowing a Los Angeles running game that's rolled through opponents. Both have been a problem all season for the Saints. If successful at each challenge, though daunting, then that could put the New Orleans secondary in an easier position to make plays that would pull out a critical victory. 

Saints - Rams Predictions | Week 16