Rams' shutout vs Saints leaves fans with something to hold onto

The Los Angeles Rams do not play starters in the preseason. It's rare to see a rotational player suit up. So when Los Angeles tossed a shutout against the New Orleans Saints, the achievement was more than evidence that the team has some solid play-makers on the depth chart. If the bubble players can play this well, imagine the upside of the starters.

This was not a game of total domination. But it was a case study of an opportunistic defense that rallied well and made the plays it needed to. The Rams delivered exactly what defensive coordinator Chris Shula preaches on a weekly basis.

The defense forced three turnovers: two interceptions and one fumble.

At least of them prevented New Orleans from scoring. The fumble occurred at LA's two-yard line, and stopped a Saints drive. But one interception produced a 12-point swing as safety Alex Cook picked off a Spencer Rattler pass at the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a score.

Rams defense rallied for emphatic performance against the Saints

While the burden of preseason games falls on many players who won't even make the team, the Rams certainly built a strong case for optimism in the regular season. From rookies to depth players and newly added veterans, the group held together as though they had been doing this for some time.

When the Rams needed a play in a crucial moment, the defense seized the moment. It not only created three turnovers, it also forced four punts and held the Saints scoreless despite two drives that reached the red zone.

Perhaps the greatest measuring stick for the Horns defense lay in New Orleans' quarterback competition. The Saints split the work between veterans Rattler and Zach Wilson, but neither was effective.

Both threw an interception. While Rattler outperformed Wilson in passing yards 141 to 55, he also threw the pick-six to Cook. Yikes.

Even former Rams kicker Tanner Brown missed a 39-yard field goal for the Saints, sealing the shutout. Until this game, LA players on the bubble followed starters' lead. But in posting a goose egg in preseason, the defensive reserves have returned the favor and placed pressure on starters to follow suit in the regular season.

This was only preseason. Had the Rams lost, the argument would be just as true. The focus is individual execution, not the final score. And this passionate defense played with plenty of heart.

Many Rams defenders in the game will not make the Week 1 trip to face the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. That's a shame. They proved that they can play. If any other teams were watching, those players who won't remain in Los Angeles could be claimed elsewhere.

As always, thanks for reading.

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