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By: Steve Rebeiro | 1 hour ago
The Los Angeles Rams got the best of the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, pulling off a 27-9 win in dominating fashion.
The much-anticipated rematch of last year’s NFC Championship lost a little bit of steam when Drew Brees exited the game in the second quarter. Still, the Rams have a lot to be proud of. Here are six takeaways from the Rams’ victory.
Defense shines against short-handed Saints
The Rams caught a lucky break when Brees suffered a hand injury thanks to a pressure from Aaron Donald and was forced out of the game. Brees was only able to play on the first two drives of the game. Teddy Bridgewater took over from there, and the Rams didn’t let the former Pro Bowl quarterback get anything going.
Wade Phillips called a fantastic game and the Rams looked much improved on defense after Week 1. Tons of players were in on the action. Eric Weddle and John Johnson collaborated on an interception early on, Clay Matthews obliterated Bridgewater on a sack, and even rookie Taylor Rapp was flying around the field making play after play.
The Rams suffocated the Saints on offense all day and didn’t allow them to get anything going. The Saints had one drive longer than 40 yards and were unable to find the end zone. They were given a tough task to integrate a new quarterback in the middle of the game. The Rams defense made that even tougher.
It should be noted that the Saints were even less productive with Drew Brees on the field. In his two drives, they threw an interception in five plays and were forced into a three-and-out.
Offensive Line struggles, but survives
The Rams offensive line suffered a crushing blow when Austin Blythe left the field in the second quarter and was replaced at right guard by Jamil Demby. It was a rough day overall for the unit. Still, considering that they didn’t have Blythe for most of the game, they were able to produce just enough to get the offense going.
It was an ugly game for the group overall. Jared Goff was sacked three times and was running for his life on plenty of plays. Robert Woods had a touchdown called back thanks to a block in the back from Joseph Noteboom. The unit was bailed out by the team’s incredible defensive performance, but they’ll need to look better than this in the future.
Right tackle Rob Havenstein was particularly terrible in this one. He struggled to contain Cameron Jordan, getting blown up on multiple occasions and being called for holding twice on Jordan. It was an uncharacteristically bad game for one of the more reliable players on the team. Having Demby next to him in the second half didn’t do Havenstein any favors, but he wasn’t playing well with Blythe out there either.
Rams receiving core has never looked better
The big three of Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Brandin Cooks were only targeted a total of 15 times this afternoon. It certainly felt like it was a lot more. All three had a major impact on this game.
Cooks got things going early with a beautiful 57 yard catch on a perfect pass from Goff. He was quiet after that, but returned into focus late in the third when he caught a touchdown on a tough slant route.
Kupp was once again Goff’s favorite target and did not disappoint, hauling in five of his nine targets for 120 yards to lead the group. His big moment came late in the game when he ripped off a 66 yard catch-and-run that was just short of a touchdown. Kupp looks like he’s back and better than ever after having surgery on a torn ACL last season.
Robert Woods only touched the ball three times, but each of his touches felt like big moments for the team. His day would look a lot better had his touchdown in the second quarter not been called back thanks to a block in the back from Noteboom.
Josh Reynolds didn’t do anything in this game, but it didn’t matter. These three guys make up one of the most dangerous receiving groups in the NFL.
Taylor Rapp shines in key defensive role
Taylor Rapp got beat on a crucial third down by former Ram Jared Cook early in the second quarter.
That’s the only negative on Rapp today. The second-round pick has played incredibly well in his role as the team’s third safety. Rapp has been taking over for Bryce Hager on expected passing downs and had a hell of a game against New Orleans.
The rookie safety had six tackles and came up huge on a third down in the fourth quarter, successfully defending a pass on Cook to help hold New Orleans to a field goal.
The Rams decision to draft a safety in the second round has aged like a fine wine. Rapp looks like he’ll be a great player in this league, and played a crucial role against the Saints this afternoon.
Gurley remains the clear RB1
After failing to even receive a red zone carry last week, Todd Gurley found the end zone for the first time this season on a four yard pitch. He finished the day with 63 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Like last week, the Rams chose to spell Gurley for Brown for entire drives rather than a few plays here and there. Gurley played the first three drives and Brown took over on the fourth. Gurley then played another three and Brown hopped in for back-to-back drives late in the game. Gurley finished out the game for the Rams on their final offensive possession.
McVay clearly has a plan for both of these guys, but Gurley remains the primary running back in Los Angeles. Brown will continue to steal touches and touchdowns from Gurley as the season goes on. The Rams don’t seem like they’ll sub out either guy in goal line situations. It just depends on who is in the game.
Rookie running back Darrell Henderson did not record a snap for the Rams in this game.
We’re never going to stop talking about the officiating
Mid-way through the second quarter, Jared Goff fumbled the ball and Cameron Jordan picked it up and returned it for a touchdown. Unfortunately for Jordan, the play was ruled as an incomplete pass on the field, and when it was reversed the Saints were not awarded the touchdown, just possession.
After last year’s much-discussed controversial no call in the NFC Championship, it feels like we’re never going to stop talking about officiating woes for the Saints against the Rams.
The Saints would have gained some momentum and the lead from that touchdown, but were still heavily outplayed during the game overall.
Sunday’s officiating crew had plenty of work outside of the blown call. There was a total of 19 penalties in this game. The Saints were flagged 11 times for 87 yards, while the Rams received 8 penalties for 65 yards. It was a sloppy game for both sides. But the Saints were sloppier, and they paid the price for it.
6 takeaways from the Rams 27-9 victory over the Saints
The Los Angeles Rams were victorious over the Saints in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship. There was a lot to break down.
theramswire.usatoday.com
