The Rams fend off the late surge and increase their playoff chances by defeating the Saints

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Two teams with realistic playoff hopes went head-to-head on “Thursday Night Football.” Los Angeles Rams Host the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium.

Only one consistently looked like a postseason team. The Rams defeated the Saints 30-22, fending off a late New Orleans turnover while completing another passing game of over 300 yards from the quarterback Matthew Stafford to get to 8-7 and increase their playoff chances.

The Saints, meanwhile, will stumble into a critical meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week at 7-8, with its postseason chances perhaps less worrisome than New Orleans’ lackluster performance on Thursday. The Saints rallied from a 30-7 deficit to make it 30-22 with 3:53 left in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get any closer.

Here are the important things to know for both teams from the Week 16 meeting:

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have won six of their last seven games – their only loss coming in overtime against the AFC leaders Baltimore Ravens – and now have a 78% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN Analytics. Their chances would have dropped to 17% if they lost.

The Rams offense has been alive since quarterback Matthew Stafford returned from a thumb injury in Week 11 and Los Angeles has now scored at least 28 points in five straight games.

Run back Kyren Williams — a player who has praised head coach Sean McVay multiple times for making the Rams a much better team when he’s on the field — has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards this season. He is the first Rams player to reach that mark since Todd Gurley in 2018.

QB breakdown: Stafford completed 24 of 34 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he has now thrown multiple passing touchdowns in five straight games, his longest such streak since joining the Rams.

Promising trend: The Rams’ rookie pass rushers continue to grow. Kobie Turnerwho fired Derek Carr After fourth down in the second quarter, he now leads NFL rookies with 6.5 sacks this season. He overtook his teammate Byron Young, who has six. Turner trails only Aaron Donald largely by a Rams rookie since sacks became an official statistic.

Buy a breakout performance: Demarcus Robinson scored a touchdown for the fourth straight game and now appears to be the Rams’ No. 3 pass receiver Tutu Atwell. Robinson finished the game with six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown against the Saints.

Worrying trend: The Rams’ kicker problems continue Lucas Havrisik missed a 47-yard field goal in the second quarter. Los Angeles has missed 11 field goals this season, a league-high mark. According to ESPN Stats & Information, it is the highest rate of any team since the 2015 Buccaneers (11). The Rams’ special teams woes included a blocked punt in the fourth quarter that allowed the Saints a touchdown that made the score 30-22. — Sarah Barshop

Next game: at Giants (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 31)

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Ohtani gave Rams jersey at SoFi Stadium vs. Saints

Shohei Ohtani receives a Los Angeles Rams jersey before the Thursday Night Football game against the Saints.

New Orleans Saints

With a win against the Saints, the Saints had the opportunity to significantly increase their chances of making it into the playoffs Los Angeles Rams on Thursday evening. Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan knew the effects. In an interview on Tuesday, he said: “The moment we fail is the moment we leave our fate to someone else.”

The Saints not only faltered, they took a big step backwards in one of their most crucial games of the season. The loss took the NFC South race out of the Saints’ hands and now requires them to win both and get help to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.

The Saints made it a one-possession game after the Saints quarterback Derek Carr led two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter and threw touchdowns to tight end Juwan Johnson and wide receivers AT Perry.

But similar to a 33:28 defeat against the Detroit Lions On December 3, the Saints fell into an early hole large enough to stave off any chance of a late comeback.

The Saints travel to face it Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday.

Silver lining: The Saints may not have been eliminated from playoff contention, but they have made the task significantly more difficult. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Saints would have had a 72% chance of making the playoffs with a win, but that number dropped to 24% with the loss.

Amazing statistics: Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was one of the game’s only bright spots after scoring a 45-yard touchdown in the first half. It was his fifth receiving 40 or more air yards this season, the most in the NFL and the most by a Saints receiver since ESPN began tracking air yards in 2006.

QB breakdown: Carr’s late touchdowns probably made the offense seem more effective than it was for most of the game. Carr threw three touchdowns, including two deep balls to Shaheed and Perry, but he was not effective against the Rams’ blitz and did not perform well on third or fourth downs.

Key game: Holy safety and special teamer JT Gray got his hands on a punt in the fourth quarter, just days after he was warned for a run on the kicker against the Giants. Gray doesn’t get credit for a blocked punt this time because it went over the line of scrimmage, but he did get his hands on the ball, giving the Saints a short field and the opportunity for a quick touchdown to Perry for one One to make score game. –Katherine Terrell

Next game: at Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 31)