Are the Saints ready to face the new and improved LA Rams on TNF?

The LA Rams (7-7) host the New Orleans Saints (7-7) on Thursday Night Football, a game that carries a huge burden of NFL Playoff implications for the two teams, as well as for a number of NFC teams. NFC teams from the NFC South Division are likely cheering for the LA Rams this week. Meanwhile NFC West Division teams are likely cheering for the New Orleans Saints.

With three games remaining on the 2023 NFL schedule, it's do-or-die time for many teams who continue to cling to NFL playoff hopes. Right now, I like the LA Rams chances.

Let's brake it down for you. The LA Rams are 4-1 in the past five games. In the last four games, Rams RB Kyren Williams has been red hot. He has averaged just over 22 carries per game for 124+ yards per game and 0.5 touchdowns per game. Over the same five games, Rams QB Matthew Stafford has completed 112 of 175 (64 percent completion rate) for 1,250 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions.

That's an average of 250 yards, 2.6 TDs, and just 0.4 INTs.

Saints face a red-hot Rams offense.

Over the past five games, WR Cooper Kupp has caught 26 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie WR Puka Nacua has caught 23 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns.

Since the Rams emerged from the BYE, this offense has scored 149 points in five games. That is an average of just under 30 points per game, the best offensive output by this team all season. And with the Rams return of RT Rob Havenstein and WR Tutu Atwell, the Rams offense is even more dangerous this week.

While many fans view this game as a dangerous battle against a competent Saints team that has played to a record of 7-7, don't forget that the Saints face a Rams team that has roared back to the same record after being left for dead at 3-6.

What I love about the Rams Thursday Night Football game? It's the Rams at home at SoFi Stadium, and if they pull off a win, the Rams get a mini-bye before traveling to the East Coast to face the New York Giants (5-9). The Rams eliminated the Washington Commanders from postseason possibilities, and have an opportunity to do so against the Giants as well.

This is not a week for the Rams to fret over facing a Saints team with a record of 7-7. This is the week where the New Orleans Saints team must fret over facing a red-hot Rams team.

Stay tuned, as we have a lot more to discuss before the game.