The Los Angeles Rams have won four of their past five games to move into the final wild-card playoff spot in the NFC.
The New Orleans Saints have won two games in a row and are tied for the best record in the NFC South in addition to being a wild-card contender.
Both teams are 7-7 as they meet Thursday night in Los Angeles for a game with major playoff implications.
QUICK PICK
The Rams are 4-1 since their bye week and have the advantage of playing at home on a short week. This is a critical game along with next week’s trip to face the Giants before closing the regular season at San Francisco. While the Saints have righted their ship to stay very much in contention, wins over the Panthers and Giants don’t instill the same type of confidence. New Orleans has defeated only one team with a winning record this season – Indianapolis in Week 8.
Prediction: Rams 23, Saints 16
TRENDING
Los Angeles has held steady as a 4.0-point favorite at BetMGM, where it has been backed by one-side action with 82 percent of the spread-line bets and 89 percent of the money. The public has been more split on the moneyline, with the Saints (+165) drawing 52 percent of the bets while the Rams (-200) have been backed by 82 percent of the money.
PROP PICK
Rams RB Kyren Williams Over 19.5 Carries (-110 at BetMGM): The Over has drawn 99 percent of the total bets placed on this prop, which is the second most popular at the book. Williams has averaged 124.3 rushing yards in the four games since his return, and has had at least 21 carries in three consecutive games. The biggest concern is the short week following a career-high 27 carries against Washington on Sunday.
THE NEWS
Coach Sean McVay is hoping the Rams can regain their offensive productivity inside the red zone. L.A. ranks 11th in the NFL in percentage of red-zone visits that have ended with touchdowns (60.5), but it’s only at 50 percent the past two games.
The Rams were 1-for-3 last week in a 28-20 home victory against Washington. Two weeks ago they were 3-for-5, which cost them in a 37-31 overtime loss at Baltimore, their only defeat in the last six weeks.
“We’ve been pretty good in the red zone overall,” McVay said. “There’s been a heightened awareness, especially the last couple of weeks, because of the way we went right down the field on our opening drive and had to settle for a field goal.
“Ultimately you want to come away with touchdowns. I’ve got to be better (at calling plays).”
The Rams are looking to improve their red-zone performance in a manner similar to how New Orleans has improved its showing inside the 20.
The Saints have been near the bottom of the NFL in red-zone efficiency for most of the season but have moved up to 21st after scoring nine touchdowns in 10 red-zone trips during the last three games.
The improvement coincides with coach Dennis Allen devoting more practice time to the red zone. The Saints were 2-for-2 in a 24-6 home victory against the New York Giants last Sunday, raising their touchdown rate for the season to 52 percent.
“You get what you emphasize,” Allen said, “and I think the extra amount of practice that we’ve spent on red zone has been good for us.”
KEY STAT
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp has matched his season high in catches (eight) in each of the past two games, finishing with 111 and 115 yards. He has a touchdown each of the last three games.
INJURY REPORT
Saints starting tackle Ryan Ramczyk (knee) will miss his second consecutive game, while starting wide receiver Chris Olave (ankle) will be active and play after missing the Giants game.
The Rams will be without backup cornerback Tre Tomlinson (hamstring). Offensive lineman Joseph Noteboom (foot), who has played in 12 games this season with seven starts, is questionable.
THEY SAID IT
New Orleans had a season-high seven sacks in the victory against the Giants after a week in which Allen challenged the team’s veteran players to play better.
“I think a lot of those guys took that as a personal challenge,” Allen said, “and I think you saw some of our veteran players really step up and play at an exceptionally high level.”
–Field Level Media