The Tyler Shough era begins this Sunday when the New Orleans Saints (1-7) travel to the West Coast to take on their old nemesis, the Los Angeles Rams (5-2), on Sunday.
New Orleans is coming off a 23-3 loss at home to Tampa Bay, where the offense struggled with 275 total yards, four sacks, and four turnovers.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, is coming off a convincing 35-7 victory over Jacksonville.
Kickoff between the Saints and the Rams at SoFi Stadium is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. on Sunday.
TIME FOR TYLER
The New Orleans are turning their offense over to their rookie quarterback selected in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft. Shough came in for the benched Spencer Rattler last week, and the results were mixed. He completed 17-of-30 passes for 128 yards and no touchdowns and one interception. Was that stat line a sign of him coming into the game cold or what his skill set is in an offense where wide receivers drop passes and fumble the ball, and where the interior of the offensive line struggles? We will find out more on Sunday.
BUILT RAM TOUGH
The Los Angeles Rams have been known for their offensive playmakers under head coach Sean McVay, with stats at quarterback (Matthew Stafford), wide receiver (Devante Adams and Puka Nacua), and running back (Kyren Williams). Yet, the Rams’ defense may be even better. Los Angeles is giving up an average of 16.7 points per game, forcing 10 turnovers, and is especially good at rushing the passer with 26 sacks. Linebackers Byron Young is third in the NFL with nine sacks, while Jared Verse has four. That pass rush will be an issue for the Saints’ offensive line.
PUKA IS BACK
The Rams’ record-setting wide receiver is set to catch passes again from Matthew Stafford. Nacua has been officially removed from the injury report and has no game status designation for Week 9. He had been dealing with a left ankle sprain suffered in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens, which caused him to miss the team’s Week 7 game. Being on bye last week gave him an extra week to heal. He has 54 receptions for 616 yards and two touchdowns.
SERIES RECORD: Rams lead 45-35
Last 5 Meetings:
2024: RAMS 21 – SAINTS 14
2023: RAMS 30 – SAINTS 22
2022: SAINTS 27 – RAMS 20
2019: RAMS 27 – SAINTS 9
2018: RAMS 26 – SAINTS 23 (OT)
STAT LEADERS:
Saints
Spencer Rattler: 174-256, 1,586 Yards, 8 TD, 5 INT
Alvin Kamara: 100 Carries, 363, 1 TD
Chris Olave: 52 Catches, 503 Yards, 3 TD
Rashid Shaheed: 39 Catches, 431 Yards, 2 TD
Carl Granderson: 4.5 Sacks
Demario Davis: 71 Tackles (37 Solo)
Kool-Aid McKinstry: 2 INT
Blake Grupe: 15-of-21 Field Goals, Long of 54
RAMS
Matthew Stafford: 160-242, 1,866 Yards, 17 TD, 2 INT
Kyren Williams: 107 carries, 472 Yards, 2 TD
Puka Nacua: 54 Catches, 616 Yards, 2 TD
Davante Adams: 31 Catches, 431 Yards, 6 TD
Byron Young: 9 Sacks
Nate Landman: 67 Tackles (33 Solo)
Kam Curl: 2 INT
Josh Karty: 10-of-14 Field Goals, Long of 51