Rams win over Saints continue playoff push
The LA Rams continued their playoff pursuit with a decisive 30-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints, extending their winning streak to five out of six games. With 72,348 roaring fans at SoFi Stadium, the Rams showcased their offensive firepower, fueled by a breakout performance from rookie wideout Puka Nacua.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
LA Soars on Nacua’s Wings: The LA Rams continued their playoff pursuit with a decisive 30-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints, extending their winning streak to five out of six games. With 72,348 roaring fans at SoFi Stadium, the Rams showcased their offensive firepower, fueled by a breakout performance from rookie wideout Puka Nacua.
Stafford Slings it: Matthew Stafford orchestrated the aerial assault, completing 24 of 34 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns. His accuracy remained impeccable, marking his fourth straight game without an interception.
Nacua Shines: Rookie sensation Nacua emerged as the star of the night, hauling in an impressive nine catches for a game-high 164 yards and a touchdown. His highlight reel grab on the first play of the second half, a sliding masterpiece, perfectly embodied his impressive skillset.
Record-Breaking Rookie: Nacua surpassed Michael Thomas’ record (92) for third-most receptions by a rookie in NFL history with his nine grabs. He also notched his sixth 100-yard receiving game this season, tying teammate Cooper Kupp’s 2021 record (11) and marking his third career game exceeding 150 yards. These phenomenal stats earned him well-deserved NFC Player of the Week honors.
Balanced Attack: The passing game wouldn’t have thrived without the ground game’s contribution. Kyren Williams, the second-year running back, proved unstoppable, rushing for 104 yards on 22 carries, extending his streak of surpassing 100 scrimmage yards to six games.
Coach McVay Praises Williams: Head coach Sean McVay couldn’t praise Williams enough, stating, “There’s no doubt, we’re different when he plays. He brings energy, production, and work ethic. He embodies everything we look for in a Ram.” Williams even etched his name in the Rams’ record books, becoming the first running back since Todd Gurley in 2018 to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
Defensive Highlights: Ernest Jones contributed an early sack on Saints quarterback Derek Carr, and the Rams defense remained vigilant throughout.
Looking Ahead: The Rams travel to face the New York Giants (5-10) this week before concluding their regular season against the San Francisco 49ers (11-4). Nacua’s explosive performance solidifies the Rams’ offensive arsenal as they charge towards the playoffs.
Additional Notes:
•Nacua joins Kyren Williams (Week 12) and punter Ethan Evans (Week 11) as Rams players earning Player of the Week recognition this season.
•The Rams (8-7) scored on four consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter to secure their victory, maintaining their hold on the No. 6 seed in the NFC.
•Kicker Lucas Havrisik converted three of four field goals.
•Saints wideout Chris Olave, a local SoCal talent, impressed with nine catches for 124 yards.
