Rams fend off late rally, boost playoff chances with win over Saints

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Two teams with realistic playoff hopes faced off on “Thursday Night Football,” with the Los Angeles Rams hosting the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium.

Only one consistently looked like a postseason team. The Rams beat the Saints 30-22, holding off a late New Orleans rally while riding another 300-plus yard passing game from quarterback Matthew Stafford to improve to 8-7 and increase their chances in playoffs.

The Saints, meanwhile, meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week at 7-8, with the playoff chances perhaps less of a concern than New Orleans' listless performance on Thursday. The Saints went from 30-7 down in the fourth quarter to within 30-22 at the 3:53 mark, but couldn't get any closer.

Here are the important things to know for both teams going into Week 16:

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have won six of their last seven games — their only loss coming in overtime to the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens — and now have a 78 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN Analytics. Their chances would have fallen to 17% in the event of defeat.

The Rams' offense has come alive since quarterback Matthew Stafford's return from a thumb injury in Week 11 and Los Angeles has now scored at least 28 points in five straight games.

Running back Kyren Williams – a player that head coach Sean McVay has repeatedly praised for making the Rams a much better team when he's on the field – has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season. He is the first Rams player to reach this mark since Todd Gurley in 2018.

QB breakdown: Stafford completed 24 of 34 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints. He has now thrown for multiple passing touchdowns in five straight games, his longest streak since joining the Rams, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Promising trend: The Rams' rookie passers continue to grow. Kobie Turner, who sacked Derek Carr on fourth down in the second quarter, now leads NFL rookies with 6.5 sacks this season. He passed teammate Byron Young, who had six. Turner is the furthest behind Aaron Donald by a Rams rookie since sacks became an official stat.

Buy exceptional performance: Demarcus Robinson scored a touchdown for the fourth straight game and now appears to be the Rams' No. 3 receiver, passing Tutu Atwell. Robinson finished with six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown against the Saints.

Disturbing trend: The Rams' kicking woes continued, as Lucas Havrisik missed a 47-yard field goal in the second quarter. Los Angeles has missed a league-high 11 field goals this season. That's the most of any team since the 2015 Buccaneers (11), according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Rams' special teams woes also included a blocked punt in the fourth quarter that allowed the Saints to score a touchdown that made the score 30-22. -Sarah Barshop

Next game: at Giants (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 31)

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Ohtani donated the Rams jersey at SoFi Stadium against the Saints

Shohei Ohtani receives a Los Angeles Rams jersey before the “Thursday Night Football” game against the Saints.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints had the opportunity to significantly increase their playoff chances with a victory against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan knew the implications. In an interview Tuesday, he said: “The moment we hesitate is the moment we give our fate to someone else. »

The Saints not only faltered, they took a step back in one of their most crucial games of the season. The loss took the NFC South race out of the Saints' hands and will now require them to win and get some help to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.

The Saints made it a one-possession game after Saints quarterback Derek Carr led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, throwing touchdowns to tight end Juwan Johnson and wide receiver AT Perry.

But similarly to a 33-28 loss to the Detroit Lions on Dec. 3, the Saints put themselves in a big enough gap early to fend off any chance of a late comeback.

The Saints will travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday.

Silver lining: The Saints aren't eliminated from the playoffs, but they've made it a lot harder. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Saints would have had a 72% chance of making the playoffs with a win, but that figure dropped to 24% with the loss.

Mind-blowing statistic: Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed was one of the game's only bright spots after scoring a 45-yard touchdown in the first half. It was his fifth reception of 40 or more air yards this season, the most in the NFL and the most by a Saints receiver since ESPN began tracking air yards in 2006.

QB breakdown: Carr's late touchdowns likely made the offense more efficient than it was for most of the game. Carr threw three touchdowns, including two deep balls to Shaheed and Perry, but he wasn't effective against the Rams' blitz and didn't do well on third or fourth down.

Crucial game: Saints safety and special teamer JT Gray got his hands on a punt in the fourth quarter, just days after he was flagged for hitting the kicker against the Giants. Gray won't get credit for a blocked punt this time because he crossed the line of scrimmage, but he got his hands on the ball, giving the Saints a short field and a quick touchdown opportunity to Perry to make one. -score game. -Katherine Terrell

Next game: at Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 31)