Rams’ 4 biggest causes for concern vs Saints...

Rams' 4 biggest causes for concern vs. Saints

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

The Los Angeles Rams are headed to the bayou this weekend where they’ll take on the 6-1 New Orleans Saints – the second-ranked team in the NFC. After narrowly beating Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in Week 8, the Rams will have to slow down Drew Brees, Michael Thomas and the high-powered Saints.

Despite now being favored in Vegas, this won’t be an easy game for Los Angeles. Here are their four biggest concerns in Week 9.

Loud atmosphere at Superdome

Not only will the Rams be tested by the talent of the Saints, the hostile environment will also push them to the brink. Sunday will have a playoff atmosphere in front of a raucous crowd, which will almost simulate a playoff game. If the Rams want to show they can win big games in hostile environments as they may have to do in the Super Bowl or in New Orleans again without home-field advantage, this is a good test.

On Sunday against the Packers, the crowd made it difficult for the Rams offense to relay calls, and that was at the Coliseum. Imagine how it’s going to be at the Superdome this weekend with the overwhelming majority being Saints fans.


Saints’ top-ranked run defense


The Saints may not seem like a team with the No. 1 run defense in the league, but that’s exactly where they rank. They’ll be challenged by Todd Gurley and the Rams’ league-leading ground game in what’s going to be a hard-fought battle in the trenches for both squads. If the Rams don’t establish the run early, it’ll impact their play-action passing attack, which is where Jared Goff is at his best.

Few teams have proved capable of slowing Gurley down the past two seasons, but the Saints will give it a shot Sunday. Not having Marcus Davenport – a big defensive end – out there will hurt, but New Orleans isn’t great against the run because of him. It’s a strong, cohesive group.


Michael Thomas


Need I say more? Thomas has caught 58 of 64 passes in his direction (90.6 percent catch rate) this season and has 42 more targets than any other wide receiver on the roster, so it’s safe to say he’s Drew Brees’ favorite target. He averages 95.6 yards per game and is good for almost 10 catches a start, which is certainly an attainable number for him on Sunday.

The Rams’ secondary hasn’t been good without Aqib Talib and Thomas could be in for one of those 10-catch, 120-yard games we’re so used to seeing from him. Brees has looked to Ben Watson and Alvin Kamara more in recent weeks, which has limited Thomas to fewer than 10 targets in four straight games, but Thomas has the ability to dominate in the passing game.


Slowing down Saints’ dynamic RB duo


The Saints have one of the best backfields in the league with Kamara and Mark Ingram, leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns and ranking eighth in attempts. They like to run the ball fairly often despite having Brees, and the wrinkle of Taysom Hill at quarterback adds another element of surprise. The Rams have struggled against the run at times this season, ranking 12th in the league – partly because opponents are often playing catch-up and have the third-fewest attempts.

Expect to see plenty of Kamara and Ingram in this one, both as runners and receivers. The Rams’ linebackers and safeties will be put to the test this weekend against arguably the best backfield in the league – outside of Los Angeles’ stud, of course.