Marcus Peters blows it in New Orleans as the Rams lose to Saints 45-35

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 04: P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints breaks up the pass meant for Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter of the game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won the game 45-35. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 04: P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints breaks up the pass meant for Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter of the game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won the game 45-35. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Saints hand the Los Angeles Rams their first loss of the season 45-35 in a fireworks show in the Big Easy.

The Los Angeles Rams get their first loss on the 2018 NFL season losing on the road to the New Orleans Saints 45-35 in a shootout featuring the two best teams and two best offenses in the NFC. Both teams provided a glimpse of what could be a conference championship game, and also showed the defensive deficiencies LA will carry with them for the balance of the season.

As far as football goes, the late Sunday contest was the best of the day, as both quarterbacks put on a passing display that yielded a combined 80 points.

Rams QB Jared Goff had a day fans have seen before, throwing for 391 yards on 28 of 40, three touchdowns and one interception. His counterpart and likely league MVP candidate Drew Brees was 25 of 36 for 346 yards and four touchdowns.

The Los Angeles rushing attack had some flashes, but for the most part the Saints defense handled Rams running back Todd Gurley, as he was held to 68 yards rushing on 13 carries and one touchdown.

The Rams, who trailed at halftime 35-17 and looked dead in the water, roared back in the second half and tied the game in the fourth quarter. However the Los Angeles defense, as has been their Achilles heel all season, saw Brees pick apart the Rams secondary as Brees would connect with Michael Thomas on a big touchdown pass to put the game out of reach, and send LA to their first loss in 2018.

If Week 9 was a look ahead to a possible NFC championship game, the Rams will need to figure out how to stop an opponents passing game, as Marcus Peters continues to disappoint. The big offseason acquisition has been an issue and was again on Sunday afternoon. As good as the Los Angeles offense is, it’s neutralized by a defense all too capable of giving up the big play.

The Rams head home for a Week 10 rematch against their NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks who lost at home to the Los Angeles Chargers 25-17.

Schedule