6 winners and 2 losers for the Rams in Week 9 dominating win over the Saints

If there were any lingering questions as to the 6-2 Los Angeles Rams and the state of mind for the team after a timely Week 8 BYE, those questions have been securely answered. The team appeared to be in peak form, with a textbook effort and execution on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football.

Of course, fans can argue that this was a struggling New Orleans Saints team, the first opponent after the BYE. But this could have been a trap game. This could have been a David topples Goliath game. With practically every NFL analyst predicting LA as the victor, this was the perfect jinx scenario.

Los Angeles staked its claim to a share of the NFC's best record. With the 6-2 Seattle Seahawks, this is no longer a story about a team vying for a playoff berth against all odds. The 2025 story is about success from the outset. Still, fans have to accept some bad with a lot of good. So who helped pave the way for a win in Week 9, and who needs to step it up?

5 winners and 2 losers for the Rams in Week 9

2. Loser - Rookie running back Jarquez Hunter

The teams benched Jarquez Hunter, while elevating running back Ronnie Rivers in Week 9. It's unclear what Hunter must do to touch the football, but any hopes for that occurring in 2025 have been moved to Week 18, and only if the team starts the backup players to give starters a rest.

The team is searching for a power back to move the chains in short-yardage scenarios. But Hunter never seems to be a viable option. That does not bode well for the rookie.

1. Loser - Kicker Joshua Karty

Any kicker that misses a field goal and an extra point in the same game is going to show up in the wrong category. Bui placekicker Joshua Karty is now a repeat offender. Patience is one thing. But now that the postseason is inching closer on the horizon, head coach Sean McVay is adamant that the situation must improve, or else.

What does 'or else' mean? That's up to the readers' imagination.

6a and 6b, Winners - Running backs Blake Corum/Kyren Williams

How can fans truly distinguish between the Herculean efforts by both running backs in Week 9? Kyren Williams rushed for over 100 yards, the first time any Rams running back has done so this season. To emphasize the point, he added another rushing touchdown, proving that the ground attack is still alive and kicking.

Meanwhile, Blake Corum exploded for a 21-yard run that squelched doubts that the team had no explosive potential in the backfield. While 21 yards was not coast-to-coast, it was a sight to behold nevertheless. The Rams found 171 rushing yards on the ground, leading to nearly triple the time of possession of the Saints.

5. Winner - Tight end Terrance Ferguson

He may be late to the party, but Terrance Ferguson has now caught three of six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown in his past two games. He proved to be an unexpected deep-ball threat in an offense that suddenly seems unstoppable in 13-personnel. He hauled in two of three passes for 54 yards.

But his presence and impact were unmistakable in this one.

Ferguson's presence has led Coach McVay to rediscover his love and appreciation for the tight end position. Right now, Ferguson has hauled in four of seven passes for 106 receiving yards and a touchdown. He is just getting started.

5. Winner - Defensive tackle Braden Fiske

Braden Fiske, a.k.a. The Kingpin, has terrorized the defensive line of scrimmage while letting his teammates show up in the spotlight. But he showed up early in Week 9, dismantling the Saints offensive line and forcing it to refocus on him.

He is a defensive coordinator's dream, willing to create chaos in the trenches to power the rest of the defense. But in this one, he showed up early.

3. Winner - Wide receiver Puka Nacua

The only reason wide receiver Puka Nacua shows up in third is the fact of his early departure for the locker room due to injury during the game. Even still, he managed to catch seven of eight passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. He now has 711 receiving yards and three touchdowns in seven games played.

We'll have an injury update for you later today.

2. Winner - Wide receiver Davante Adams

It's mind-blowing to realize that Davante Adams has scored five touchdowns in the past two games, but it's true. Better still, he is finally on the same page as his quarterback, as he caught five of seven passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns. His Week 9 performance pushed his season catch rate above 50 percent for the first time.

And that will improve. In the past two games, he has hauled in 10 of 15 passes for 95 yards and five touchdowns. He is a scoring machine on offense, and the worst nightmare imaginable for defensive backs

1. Winner - Quarterback Matthew Stafford

Veteran Matthew Stafford is playing lights out. He completed 24 of 32 passes in this one for 281 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. He connected with seven different receivers, including four tight ends. This quarterback has not thrown an interception since the September 21st game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, he has tossed three or more touchdowns this season without an interception four times.

His Week 9 performance was by far his best of the season.

Right now, he is a 25-year-old quarterback trapped in a 37-year-old's body. He is playing lights out, and the buzz for MVP is starting to get noticeable.

This was a huge win, and the team's first victory against an NFC opponent. But the outcome was expected. All this proves is that the team was prepared out of the BYE to show up. The real tests lie in the future, as LA must gear up for five NFC West Divisional games in the final nine games of the season.

As always, thanks for reading.