NFC Championship: Rams @ Saints
- FootballNewsLeague
- Jan 18, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 19, 2019
The New Orleans Saints won't have to be marching in anywhere because they have the #1 seed and Superdome field advantage. They finished the season with the best record in the entire NFL (13-3) and have obliterated opponents all season long. They have only lost to the Bucs, Panthers, and Cowboys, all of which in 2009 they lost to on their way to a Super Bowl winning season. Coincidence? I don't think so, the Saints have a high scoring offense with an amazing defense just like that super bowl run.
Their offense has two of the top 10 running backs that can do it all: block, run between the tackles, and catch the ball out the backfield. RB Mark Ingram (Running Back) was suspended the first four games and RB Alvin Kamara did not miss a beat taking over for him. Once Ingram came back everyone thought this offense would slow down to accommodate him, but it was the opposite in fact. He gave them another dimension they forgot about. He’s a bruiser that can take it to the house at any moment with one cut. They both will give the Rams nightmares if they get loose and do what they normally do. Together they had 124 yards on the ground and 44 yards receiving against the Eagles, even though they weren't the main weapons used. Kamara did have a long catch from backup QB Taysom Hill on a trick play called back from a penalty, which would have swung the game more in the Saints favor.
Another key playmaker is WR Michael Thomas (Wide Receiver). He ran 40 offensive snaps where he made a total of 12 catches. He caught his longest reception for a 42 yard gain, and he turned his only end zone target into a two yard touchdown. 54 of his 171 yards came after he caught the ball. The only problem I have with this star studded offense is that when they played the Cowboys, the Cowboys kept getting pressure in the middle of their line. It caused QB Drew Brees to get sacked multiple times and throw the ball inaccurately off his back foot. That's where the Rams excel on their defense, but the Saints defense is also very impressive.
The Saints have an exceptional defensive line lead by DE Cameron Jordan (Defensive End), and DT Sheldon Rankins (Defensive Tackle) who was unfortunately put on injured reserve after tearing his Achilles in Sunday’s NFC Divisional win against the Philadelphia Eagles . The Saints have a young rookie out of UTSA that they traded up in the draft to get. DE Marcus Davenport will have to be a huge factor in this game against the Rams to either stop Rams RB Todd Gurley or put pressure on QB Jared Goff to make errant throws. The Saints secondary is also demoralizing with CBs Marshon Lattimore and Eli Apple (Cornerbacks) making huge impact plays when they have needed it the most. For instance, when the Saints were trailing 14-0 against the Eagles, Marshon Lattimore had an interception and it was a turning point in Sunday’s game as it led to an 84 yard touchdown drive for New Orleans. Lattimore was shadowing the Eagles best Wide Receiver, Alshon Jeffery, towards the middle and end of the game. He ended up putting the game away with his second interception of the night that Nick Foles threw. I expect him to cover Rams WR Robert Woods as much as possible on Sunday. If the secondary can cover the wide receivers as long as possible, the defensive line can disrupt the Rams offense enough take control of this game. The Saints offense will also have to hold their own to keep the clock management in their favor.
The Los Angeles Rams will be marching on their high horse into the Superdome after a dominant performance against the Cowboys. The 2018 Rams have been a reincarnation of the 1999-2001 team, “The Greatest Show on Turf.” RB Todd Gurley (Running Back) has been phenomenal despite playing just 14 games this year. He led the NFL with 21 total touchdowns (4 receiving) and racking up 1,831 total yards. He hasn’t been the healthiest and that is why they signed RB C.J. Anderson in week 16. Anderson and Gurley gained 238 yards rushing with 3 touchdowns against the Cowboys. Anderson, since signing with the Rams, has had the most yards in a players first 3 games in franchise history at 422 yards, followed by Gurley at 314 yards.
Because of Running Backs like these two, Sean McVay (head coach) has helped QB Jared Goff (Quarterback) excel as a passer with play action plays 34% of the play calls. Goff threw 13 touchdowns and 2 interceptions when doing this, but fails to be productive without it; throwing 10 interceptions. He has a pretty good partner at the Wide Receiver position with Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks. They've been tandem and get overlooked all the time. They both have had 1200+ yards each with 11 touchdowns together. They are both smaller type slot receivers that could help open running lanes against this stout Saints defense. Either one of them can catch a pass, and break it off for a big play.
Just like their offense, this defense has gotten better, getting CB Aqib Talib back to pair with fellow CB Marcus Peters (Cornerbacks), S John Johnson and S Lamarcus Joyner (Safeties). These four are ball hawks that cause turnovers. But with that, sometimes they give up big play touchdowns on the very next drive to anyone who catches them reaching too far for a pick. However, If they can cover their receivers long enough for the front seven defensive line to get to Brees, it will be sack city.
This front seven has nothing but former first round talent, literally. DT Aaron Donald (Defensive Tackle) is in consideration for the MVP and rightfully so after getting 20.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in the regular season. It's unheard of for a Defensive Tackle to almost break the record for sacks, and to pair him with fellow DT, all-pro Ndamukong Suh this season is insane. The linebackers that are behind these two are elite and helped shut down Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott last weekend to only 47 yards. This defense should be able to shut down this high powered offense on the ground, which will cause Brees to throw the ball 100 times into tight coverage. That will only lead to turnovers and help them seal the deal to the Superbowl.
Final Verdict:
Josh Alvarez: These two teams are built so similarly that we should just sit back and enjoy this matchup! There will be plenty of fireworks and trick plays every drive so get your wings and snacks ready because you're not going to want to miss this high scoring affair. I am picking the Rams, so we could hope for another 100+ point rematch against the Chiefs from week 11.
Fun fact: These are all Saints players that played at the same high school, but not at the same time: CB Marshon Lattimore, CB Justin Hardee, WR Ted Ginn Jr., and WR Shane Wynn.
Another fact is that the fastest player on their team is backup QB Taysom Hill who also returns punts/kicks.
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