Rams vs Saints: 4 key matchups to watch in Week 9...

Rams vs. Saints: 4 key matchups to watch in Week 9

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]


The Los Angeles Rams are coming off of their best win of the season, beating the Green Bay Packers at home. The Saints were equally impressive in Week 8 by knocking off the Minnesota Vikings in primetime.

Now, these two hot teams are set to clash in New Orleans, each riding winning streaks of at least six games. The winner could very well become the favorite in the NFC the rest of the way, making this the most important game of the season.


Here are four key matchups to watch on Sunday.

Todd Gurley vs. Saints run defense

The Saints defense may have started the season terribly, but it’s started to come together of late – particularly against the run. They’re allowing a league-low 74.1 yards per game, which is 6 yards fewer than the next-closest team. Their 3.2 yards per carry allowed also ranks No. 1 in the NFL, so it’s certainly not a fluke. Todd Gurley and the Rams, of course, lead the league in rushing as an individual and as a team, which makes this New Orleans’ toughest test of the season.

Sean McVay can’t afford to go away from Gurley if it’s tough sledding early on. Gurley is the Rams’ best offensive player and getting him going also opens things up for the play-action passing game. Whichever team wins this matchup could go on to win the game.


Rams CBs vs. Michael Thomas


It’s been a mess at cornerback for the Rams since Aqib Talib went down. Marcus Peters has been inconsistent, Troy Hill has been exploited on the outside and Sam Shields hasn’t gotten a large chunk of snaps in recent weeks. Unfortunately, the road doesn’t get much easier with Thomas up next. He’s undeniably Drew Brees’ favorite wide receiver target, seeing 64 passes come his way. The next-closest wideout is Ted Ginn (22), who hasn’t played since Week 4.

So yeah, a large portion of Brees’ passes will go in Thomas’ direction. Peters traveled against Davante Adams last week at times, but that didn’t exactly work out for the Rams. It’s likely that he’ll play his usual left cornerback position on Sunday, which means Sam Shields and Troy Hill will have to do their part when Thomas lines up across from them.

Thomas could be in for a big day, just as Adams was last week.


Aaron Donald vs. Andrus Peat


No team has found an answer for Donald this season or last. He’s proved to be the most dominant player in the league, pacing the NFL with 10 sacks despite being double-teamed 70 percent of the time – nearly twice as much as every other player. The Saints have a really good left guard in Peat, but they won’t leave him on an island with Donald. At least, they shouldn’t.

Expect Peat to get some help from center Max Unger and even left tackle Terron Armstead, either by knocking Donald off his spot or straight-up double-teaming him on the interior. Drew Brees isn’t nearly as accurate or productive when facing pressure in his face, which is exactly where Donald thrives. Unless the Saints move to a quick passing game, Brees could find No. 99 in his lap fairly often.


Rob Havenstein vs. Cameron Jordan


The Saints won’t have Marcus Davenport this weekend, but it’s Jordan who poses the largest threat to on the defensive line, anyway. As the left defensive end, he’ll be rushing against Havenstein throughout the game. The recently paid right tackle has had a phenomenal season and is ranked among Pro Football Focus’ top tackles, improving since the last Rams-Saints meeting.

Jared Goff tends to hold the ball a bit long at times and can be unaware of pressure in the pocket. He’ll have to keep his head on a swivel Sunday with Jordan rushing from the front side. Jordan is also a great run defender and part of the reason the Saints rank No. 1 in that department, providing Havenstein with another challenge in that area.