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In a matchup with main playoff implications, the Los Angeles Rams survived a late scare, defeating the New Orleans Saints 30-22 on “Thursday Night time Soccer.” Listed below are three takeaways from the Rams large win.
Rams offense stays sizzling: The offense’s miraculous turnaround continued on Thursday. The Rams overwhelmed the Saints protection, scoring on six of 10 possessions whereas recording 458 yards of complete offense.
By means of the air, quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 24-of-34 for 328 yards and two touchdowns, whereas wideout Puka Nacua went off, recording 9 receptions for 164 yards and a rating. In the meantime, second-year working again Kyren Williams topped 100 yards for the third straight week, speeding for 104 yards (22 carries) and a TD.
The offense has come to life after a sluggish begin to the 12 months. By means of Week 10, the Rams have been scoring solely 19 factors a recreation. Since then, they’re averaging 30 factors and 406 yards of offense and have received 5 of six video games.
Dominating within the passing and run recreation, the Rams’ unit proved on Thursday why the remainder of the NFC may wish to keep away from them come playoff time.
Rams’ late-game protection wants enchancment: For the third straight week, the Rams had bother holding onto a fourth-quarter lead. As soon as in command 30-7 early within the remaining stanza, L.A.’s protection made issues attention-grabbing by letting the Saints again into the sport.
A 32-yard area aim by Lucas Havrisik gave the Rams a 23-point benefit with 12:44 left. Nonetheless, the Saints scored on their subsequent two possessions, and with 3:53 remaining they wanted solely a landing and a profitable two-point conversion to tie the sport.
The Rams in the end escaped the temporary scare on Thursday with a victory, however defensive failings late have gotten a development for the Rams. In week 14, up by as many as six, the Rams held a two-point benefit over the Baltimore Ravens within the fourth, in the end shedding in additional time, 37-31. Then, in Week 15, the protection allowed the Washington Commanders to beat a 20-7 fourth-quarter deficit earlier than the offense bailed them out in a 28-20 win.
An enormous victory over the Saints has the Rams squarely within the NFC playoff image. Nonetheless, in the event that they hope to solidify a postseason spot and keep away from an early exit, one thing has to vary on the defensive facet of the ball.
Rams strengthened playoff odds whereas Saints took a giant hit: For now, the Rams maintain sole possession of the No. 6 seed within the NFC. In keeping with the New York Occasions playoff simulator, they’ve a 69 p.c likelihood of creating the postseason, up from 49 p.c earlier than the sport. If the season ended proper this second, they’d matchup towards their QB’s former crew, the No. 3-seeded Detroit Lions.
Whereas the probability of a playoff berth went up for the Rams, the loss all however ends any hope for the now 7-8 Saints. Their protection was a no-show in a must-win recreation, and the offense did not make its presence identified till it was too late. Heading into Week 16, the Saints’ postseason odds have been slim (39 p.c), however they fell to 21 p.c following the loss.
The Saints received again into the playoff image with two-straight victories over the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, however their struggles towards successful groups did them in. Together with the Rams, the Saints are actually 1-7 this season towards groups at .500 or higher.
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