The New Orleans Saints were dominated on the road by the Los Angeles Rams in a 34-10 defeat inside SoFi Stadium on Sunday. With the loss, the Saints have now dropped four straight games for the second time this season, and have the worst record in the NFC.
With the defeat, New Orleans falls to 1-8 on the season, which is the worst nine-game start in franchise history since 1980. That season, the Saints started 0-14 before finishing 1-15.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Even with starting rookie Tyler Shough under center, the Saints’ offense continued to struggle. New Orleans’ first three offensive drives netted 12 total yards and resulted in three three-and-outs.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, had no issues on their first offensive possession as the Rams went 88 yards on 12 plays. Matthew Stafford completed 8-of-8 passes for 72 yards on the drive, including a one-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Higbee.
After the Saints’ third punt, the Rams’ offense went 62 yards on 11 plays and ate up 5:53 off the clock. The drive was aided by two penalties, a pass interference call on Kool-Aid McKinstry and a defensive holding flag on Alontae Taylor. The drive was capped with a three-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Devante Adams. The extra point was no good.
New Orleans had its best drive of the game as Taysom Hill was inserted at quarterback. Hill ran for 29 yards on the first play, a one-yard run on the second play, but then threw an incompletion on the third play. Hill was replaced by Shough, who came in and picked up a first down with a 10-yard pass to Brandin Cooks.
The drive stalled, and the Saints settled for a 39-yard field goal by Blake Grupe.
Los Angeles wasted little time responding as the Rams needed only three plays, as Stafford threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Puka Nacua.
Los Angeles appeared ready to blow the game open before halftime as Stafford threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Davis Allen. But the Rams tight end was called for a face mask, which took the touchdown off the board. Los Angeles had to settle for a field goal attempt by Josh Karty, but he pushed it wide right.
New Orleans got on the scoreboard before half with a six-play, 71-yard drive. Shough hit Chris Olave for a 27-yard completion, and then two plays later, a sack turned into a penalty as Byron Young was called for roughing the passer — helmet to helmet — on a sack of Shough. The Saints’ next play was an 11-yard touchdown pass from Shough to tight end Juwan Johnson.
At the break, the Saints trailed 20-10.
The Rams took the first possession of the second half with a 16-play, 80-yard drive that took 9:46 off the clock. The drive ended with Stafford finding Adams for a four-yard touchdown.
The Saints ran two plays before Alvin Kamara fumbled the ball and gave the Rams the ball at midfield. Los Angeles went 52 yards on 10 plays, ate 6:22 off the clock, and capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Kyren Williams.
New Orleans’ next possession, which went 57 yards, ended with a turnover on downs as Hill was stuffed for a loss on a fourth-and-two run at the seven-yard line. After forcing a three-and-out, the Saints got the ball back, but the drive ended with the Rams picking off a fourth-down sideline pass by Shough.
BIG NUMBER: 10
The Saints’ offense struggled throughout the game in both the passing and running games. New Orleans could only muster 10 first downs in Sunday’s loss to the Rams. Los Angeles, meanwhile, had more passing first downs (14) than the Saints did total first downs.
PLAYER OF THE GAME (RAMS): MATTHEW STAFFORD
The Rams’ veteran quarterback played like an MVP as he completed 24-of-32 passes for 281 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions.
PLAYER OF THE GAME (SAINTS): CHASE YOUNG
The veteran pass rusher continues to be a bright spot for the Saints as he recorded two tackles and one sack in Sunday’s game.
UP NEXT: New Orleans (1-8) returns to action next Sunday when the team travels to take on the Carolina Panthers (5-4). Kickoff is set for noon.