Rams fall in 45-35 shootout: Instant Analysis from Week 9 loss...

Rams fall to Saints in 45-35 shootout: Instant analysis from Week 9 loss

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

The Los Angeles Rams received a wake-up call on Sunday in New Orleans, falling to the Saints 45-35. It’s their first loss of the season, dropping their record to 8-1. They still hold a lead in the NFC for the No. 1 seed, but if they and the Saints run the table, New Orleans has the edge.

This was always expected to be a shootout, and that’s exactly what it was. Drew Brees and Jared Goff had massive games with both defenses being carved up in every phase of the game, but the Rams ultimately came up short.



Michael Thomas’ 72-yard touchdown against Marcus Peters with 3:52 left made it a 10-point game, and the Rams failed on fourth down on the ensuing possession. That essentially clinched it for the Saints.

Game balls

Jared Goff: 28-for-40, 391 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 115.7 passer rating
Brandin Cooks: 6 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD
Offensive line: Zero sacks allowed
Stat of the game

31: The Saints had 31 first downs and were 7-for-12 on third down.
Game notes

Goff had one of his best games in the NFL. He was making tight-window throws left and right, making smart reads and moving the ball downfield with ease. The Rams had catches of 48, 41 and 33 yards, showing their big-play ability.
Marcus Peters is a big problem for the Rams. He was toasted all game by Michael Thomas, who had 12 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown. Peters is too big a name to bench, but he might be the Rams’ worst defensive player right now.
Los Angeles’ third-down defense wasn’t nearly good enough on Sunday. The Saints were 7-for-12 on that crucial down, which prolonged drives and kept a worn-down Rams defense on the field for more than 30 minutes.
Gerald Everett finally got going with three catches for 48 yards, including a 20-yarder. He can be a weapon for the Rams on offense if he’s used more, given his route-running ability and elusiveness in space.
The tackling was awful for Los Angeles. Mark Barron, Lamarcus Joyner and even John Johnson missed tackles all over the field, allowing valuable yards after contact that often led to first downs.
Sean McVay was wisely aggressive in this one, trying a fake field that failed by inches because of a controversial spot. He put the ball in Goff’s hands, and their 21-point rally came up short.
Dante Fowler Jr. made one impact play in his Rams debut, a strong tackle for loss. Otherwise, he was mostly a nonfactor.