ESPN expert shares a horrific statistic for Week 13 that surprises fans

The data shared is not very flattering for either the Rams or the Saints.
Los Angeles Rams Matthew Stafford v New Orleans Saints Derek Carr
Los Angeles Rams Matthew Stafford v New Orleans Saints Derek Carr / Jonathan Bachman/GettyImages
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The Los Angeles Rams showed no offense in the first half of Week 13, a road game against the New Orleans Saints. No, that's not hyperbole nor is it a twist of words. The Rams ended the first half of the game with zero points, and that is something that has not happened for a very long time. At the end of the half, the Saints led the Rams by a score of 6-0. Curiously, it was the Rams' defense that drew the ire of fans on social media.

The Rams offense clearly struggled in the game. But how is it that the Saints offense ended a half in which they dominated the Rams with only six points? Well, ESPN NFL Saints reporter Katherine Terrell shared a shocking and unexpected statistic about Saints QB Derek Carr and Rams QB Matthew Stafford in the first half.

The fact that neither Carr nor Stafford completed a pass thrown 10 or more yards downfield in the first half of the game was disappointing. The fact that both teams attempted three passes of 10+ yards in the first half is shocking.

Stafford completed just four of ten passes in the first half. Saints QB Derek Carr completed 15 of 23 passes for 83 yards in the first half. So you might expect the Saints to have more attempts and more completions at that range.

The Saints' defense completely neutralized the Rams' offense in that first half. But despite the sentiment of some vocal and frustrated fans, the defense played very well in less-than-admirable circumstances. The stinginess of the Rams' defense has allowed the offense sufficient time to regroup and come out recharged and focused in the second half.

The game is nowhere close to being decided. With 9:14 remaining in the game, the Rams and Saints are tied up at a score of 14-14

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