4 reasons Los Angeles Rams will suffer first loss of 2018 in Week 9 to New Orleans Saints
By Dan Parzych
![SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Framblinfan-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1052712890-850x560-10e15b85365131f67971335ad68a110d16c07dbc8f44c13869a5519e6e0271ec.jpg)
2. Saints are one of the hottest teams
Remember at the beginning of the 2017 season when the Saints lost each of their first two games, and were written off by many since they seemed to be heading towards another year of finishing below .500? Coincidentally, New Orleans found themselves in a similar boat for 2018 when they were blown out at home by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers opening weekend before quickly turning things around by going on to win six games in a row.
Now, the main focus for the Saints will be doing whatever it takes to increase that impressive streak to seven games, especially since there will be some extra motivation to take over the throne as being the team to beat in the NFC if that happens. New Orleans made a major statement last weekend during their win on the road in Minnesota to show how they’re capable of handling any sort of pressure or obstacle thrown in their direction, and the victory only helped boost their confidence over their chances of knocking off Los Angeles come Sunday.
The Saints know that in order to be the best, they will have to defeat some of the best teams in the process, and a win over the Rams would send a message to the rest of the league over where they stand. It’s not going to be easy, but New Orleans is a top contender for a reason, and Los Angeles knows they will be more than ready for this one.