It was a dazzling Sunday afternoon for the Los Angeles Rams, who improved to 6-2 following a 34-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
LA forced the Saints to a quick three-and-out to start the game and quickly put points on the board. The Rams moved the ball down the field on their first possession with ease, going 88 yards in 12 plays, capped off by a Tyler Higbee one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford.
After the score, LA never looked back.
The Rams proceeded to score touchdowns on two of their next three possessions, extending their first-half lead to 20-3.
New Orleans did manage to march down the field and convert a touchdown right before the end of the half, showing signs of life as they cut the lead to 10. However, the comeback effort was crushed as the Rams opened the second half with a methodical 10-minute drive, which was finished off by another Stafford passing touchdown.
The Saints were held to zero points and just 101 yards of offense in the second half, while the Rams scored two more touchdowns and extended their lead to 24.
The Rams looked like an all-around Super Bowl-contending squad.
Stafford took complete control of his team and completed 24 of his 32 pass attempts and threw for four touchdown passes.
The Rams’ offensive line shut down the Saints’ defensive front, allowing just two sacks and providing Stafford ample time in the pocket to exploit the soft spots in the Saints’ secondary.
Stafford now has 21 total passing touchdowns this year, tying him for the league lead.
“I have total confidence that you can call the game through him,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay in Sunday’s postgame press conference. “We’re sure grateful to be able to have him running the show for us.”
While Stafford has to be given credit for his success, it doesn’t hurt that he’s accompanied by star wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, who give him options on nearly every down.
Adams caught his fifth and sixth touchdown passes of the year, and continues to prove to be the reliable veteran the Rams intended him to be.
Nacua, who made his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury against the Ravens in Week 6, caught seven passes for 95 yards, including a perfectly placed 39-yard touchdown pass.
However, in the third quarter, Nacua landed awkwardly on the football after getting tackled. He did not return to the game.
McVay said Nacua is “going to be good,” and that he could’ve gone back into the game, but McVay felt the game was under control and he didn’t want to risk worsening the injury.
In the ground game, Rams running back Kyren Williams had a strong performance and rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Rams took care of business. Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough couldn’t handle the Rams’ defensive pressure.
Through tight coverage and strong run support, the Rams held Shough to just 176 passing yards and managed an interception.
The Rams have a tough week of preparation ahead, as they are set to head up the coast to face their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers sit a half-game back from the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West lead. LA will look to get revenge for their Week 5 defeat and extend their division lead.