Week 16 of the NFL schedule begins NFL SCHEDULE with a showdown between former NFC West rivals on the field in the City of Angels. The New Orleans Saints are visiting as they make the trip to face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.
New Orleans comes in after a 24-6 home win over the New York Giants on Sunday in their last meeting. Los Angeles beat the Washington Commanders 28-20 at home on Sunday in their previous game.
Saints Seek Divisional Leadership
The Saints are battling for the lead in the NFC South after winning their second straight game, pulling away from the Giants in the second half to get the win at home.
They improved to a 7-7 record on the season and are tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for first place in the NFC South, although the Buccaneers lead the division with a better record this week.
They are in eighth place in the NFC playoff picture, losing the tiebreaker based on conference record to the Rams.
In their matchup with New York, the Saints trailed 3-0 after the first quarter, led 7-6 at halftime and then outscored the Giants 17-0 in the second half to earn the victory.
The Saints had a 296-193 edge in total yards, gained 20 first downs while allowing 12 and had a time of possession advantage of 33:27 to 26:33 in the game. Neither team committed turnovers.
On the season, the Saints rank 16th in the league in aerial offense with 231.3 yards per game, while they are 19th in ground offense with 103.2 yards per game.
New Orleans ranks 12th in the league in scoring with an average of 22.1 points per game, while they are sixth in defense allowing an average of 19.1 points per game.
Derek Carr has completed 302 of 448 passes for 3,098 yards with 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has been caught 26 times.
Taysom Hill has completed five of nine passes for 72 yards and a touchdown, and ranks second on the team with 347 yards and four touchdowns on 71 carries.
Jameis Winston is 25-of-47 passing for 264 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in his action.
Key Ingredients needed to lead to #Saints victory for TNF against Los Angeles📰
Read more from @JohnDeShazier ⤵️https://t.co/26bVBrcuSg@littlecaesars pic.twitter.com/DhOPRT7T3B
- New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 21, 2023
Rams Seek to Straighten Their Way
The Rams look to solidify their position in the NFC wild card spot after bouncing back from an overtime loss on the road to the Baltimore Ravens, winning their fourth game in five games by beating Washington.
The Rams evened their record at 7-7 on the season and are in second place in the NFC West. They hold the wild card spot in the NFC playoff picture thanks to a better conference record than New Orleans.
Against Washington, the Rams led 3-0 after the first quarter, 13-0 at halftime and 20-0 in the third quarter.
The Rams were up 20-7 after three quarters and 28-7 early in the fourth quarter before giving up a pair of touchdowns to make the final score tighter.
The Rams are 11th in the league in aerial offense averaging 235.9 yards per game through the air, and 11th also in ground offense averaging 121.3 yards per game.
Los Angeles ranks ninth in the league in scoring with an average of 23.4 points per game, while they are 19th in defense allowing an average of 22.1 points per game.
Matthew Stafford has completed 278 of 453 passes for 3,320 yards with 21 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He adds 70 yards on the ground. Brett Rypien is 18-of-38 for 172 yards and one interception.
Kyren Williams leads the team on the ground with 186 carries for 953 yards and eight touchdowns this season.