The Los Angeles Rams routed the New Orleans Saints Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium. With a 34-10 win, LA advances to 6-2 on the season. While they do not have as many wins as others around the NFL because of bye week timing, they join the best teams in the NFL in the “two loss” category.
There may not be a team that has looked as strong as the Rams in their most recent two games. Both the offense and defense are playing at a high level.
Let’s dive into the individual performances that got the job done against the Saints:
Winners
Matthew Stafford, QB
I’ll admit I did not see a career year for Matthew Stafford coming, especially since he missed nearly all of the preseason while managing a back injury. I call it as I see it, and Stafford is turning in his best work that we’ve seen from him as a professional.
The veteran has tossed nine touchdowns over the last two weeks (four in this game), and it’s the first time a quarterback has done this in Rams franchise history. It all feels easy for Stafford right now and the offense is regaining health and coming together in time for their upcoming clashes against NFC West foes.
Stafford threw for 215 yards in the first half and finished with 281 on the day. The Rams spent most of the second half running the ball and milking the clock, though Stafford made a number of throws on late downs to keep the chains moving.
Davante Adams, WR
We can be honest that the start of Adams’ career with the Rams was somewhat disappointing. Through the team’s first six games or so, Adams was only able to haul in roughly 50% of the passes thrown his direction. Blame can be attributed to both the receiver being unable to separate and catch the ball, and some falls on the quarterback for missing him at times.
But the connection between Stafford and Adams looks corrected over the last two weeks, especially in the red zone. That’s bad news for the rest of the NFL.
Emmanuel Forbes, CB
By my eye Forbes was the most challenged corner on the day as it seemed the majority of Tyler Shough’s passes looked his direction. I also can’t remember Forbes giving up much in coverage, and more importantly he was able to intercept the rookie (his first as a Ram).
Forbes has fallen out of favor as a starter and ceded playing time to Cobie Durant and Darious Williams. LA also acquired Roger McCreary from the Tennessee Titans this week. Forbes only started because Williams missed the game due to injury, though this might have been the best he’s looked on the field all season.
Is the secondary perhaps starting to round into form?
The TE’s
These are the receiving totals from the Rams’ big guys on Sunday:
- Terrance Ferguson: two catches for 54 yards
- Davis Allen: three catches for 37 yards
- Tyler Higbee: Three catches for 13 yards, touchdown
- Colby Parkinson: two catches for 10 yards
- Total: 10 catches for 114 yards and a score
Ferguson continues to get more work in the offense, and the rookie seems to have a knack for making big catches on late downs. Allen is a physical runner after the catch, though that physicality drew an unfortunate facemask penalty in the red zone.
The Rams dipped into the 13 personnel bag once Puka Nacua went down with injury a few weeks ago. They’ve found a little bit of magic that makes them more multiple and forces opposing defenses to problem solve. If the tight ends can maintain this level of performance, it’s only going to make the offense overall more difficult to defend. It’s no coincidence that the Rams were also able to run the football and average over 4.5 yards per carry on Sunday—these guys deserve credit for that as well.
Losers
Josh Karty, K
It might be time to wonder if the Rams have a kicker controversy on their hands. We’ve watched LA’s overall field goal operation be rough at times this season, including a handful of blocked kicks. Karty himself has been inconsistent while the rest of the team seems to be finding their stride.
The Rams are getting into the thick of their schedule against the NFC West. It’s likely games against the 49ers and/or Seahawks come down to a field goal. Can they have confidence in Karty to take care of business?
Well, it gets more difficult after watching their kicker miss an extra point and his only field goal attempt.
Roger McCreary, CB
The Rams’ recently acquired corner—Roger McCreary—was active for the game but did not appear on defense. It probably made sense to give him some run against the lowly Saints, especially once the score got out of hand. Instead, we probably saw Forbes strengthen his position as a starting or rotational corner if/when Darious Williams returns from injury.
If you were hoping that McCreary would step in as a starter, it may be time to go back to the drawing board and reset expectations.
Alaric Jackson, LT
Alaric Jackson had some tough moments in both the run and pass games against the talented Chase Young. Jackson is a solid left tackle, though over his career he can struggle against elite pass rusher (there might be three tackles in the NFL you can’t say that about). Sunday was a reminder of Jackson’s limitations.
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