By now you may have seen or read all the reasons why the New Orleans Saints lost Week Two’s marquee match-up. An injury, the unfortunate miscall. However, that’s not why the Saints lost. The Los Angeles Rams defense was one of multiple key factors that stemmed more from the performance of the winning team than anything.
Los Angeles Rams Defense Part of How They Really Won vs the Saints
The Rams and Saints met up in the game that all eyes were on for Week 2. The game was dubbed “The Rematch” and lived up to the hype in almost every way except final score. The hard-fought competition was widely expected to go down to the wire. It did not.
It started rather shaky, putting it rather mildly, a collection of unfortunate mishaps for both teams. The most unfortunate moment in the game went against the Saints yet again and they succumb by the score 27-9. The major miscall by NFL refs or the fact that Hall of Fame-bound Drew Brees damaged his throwing hand is likely what you’ve read. In fact, you’ll read or hear about it a lot in the coming days, weeks or months. It’s not how or why the Saints lost, however.
First, The Controversy
At the 6:08 mark in the second quarter, Jared Goff attempted what might’ve been a touchdown pass attempt in the red zone. The Saints coverage was good enough to prolong the play and when Goff finally passed his arm was hit mid-throw. The ball dropped to the turf and Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan picked it up and ran it some 87 yards. The call on the field was an incomplete pass but was promptly reversed upon further review. However, the original call nullified Jordan’s touchdown run and the Saints fans’ controversy engine is fueled again.
In all honesty, this being the third straight game in which a questionable call by NFL referees at a critical time, Rams fans can feel their pain. It was a bad first-call yet this time it was corrected. You can no doubt expect drama on social media on the Saints side, for sure. Yet it was nowhere near unrecoverable. The Saints had every chance to bounce back. After all, it was only mid-second quarter.
Of course, many in the Who Dat nation will point to the Drew Brees hand injury and early exit as co-culprit this time. Folks on the Rams side can counterpoint with losing their starting center, Austin Blythe, also for the rest of the game, a significant loss. Additionally, Aaron Donald got nicked up and left the game at one point. The truth is still, this is pro football and injuries happen every week. Do we make excuses every week?
How the Game Was Really Won by the Rams
As mentioned, this was a hard-fought game. A battle the likes of playoff atmosphere though either offense may not have given that impression. Both defenses rose up and showed up. Quarterbacks felt heat all game long.
The Defense
Cory Littleton led the way for the Los Angeles Rams defense for the second straight week with eight total tackles, two passes defensed and nearly got his second interception of the season. Eric Weddle, fresh off concussion protocol, proceeded to smash at Saints players nearly causing one fumble. He added seven tackles and one pass defensed. Michael Brockers and Clay Matthews were credited with one sack each.
The Ground Game
Although the Saints came out the gate trying to establish a run game, they were held to just 57 total yards. Alvin Kamara had just 45 of those on 13 carries for 3.9 yards per carry. For the Rams, Todd Gurley had some quality efforts for a guy that many said was washed-up just weeks ago. He ran for a more-impression-than-stats 63 yards on 16 totes and one touchdown. Goff also ran for a one-yard touchdown mid-fourth quarter.
The Passing Game
Brees was 3-of-5 for 38 with a quarterback rating of just 44.2 when he went out. Teddy Bridgewater threw for a modest 165 yards (17 of 30 passes) and had a better rating of 77.2. Goff finished the game with a rating of 112.7, 19 of 28 for 283 yards, one touchdown pass and no interceptions.
Michael Thomas led Saints receivers with 10 receptions on 13 targets for 89 yards. Cooper Kupp had a monster day for him leading all receivers with 120 yards on just five catches from nine targets. His longest, a memorable 66-yard ‘beast mode’ effort will be on highlight reels for…forever. Brandin Cooks added 74 yards and the only reception for touchdown. It should also be noted how well tight end Gerald Everett played despite some stats being erased by penalty.
Last Word on the Big Rematch
The bottom line is that the defenses on both sides were up for this, playing well all game long. Although the Saints had the baddest break yet again, offensively, the Rams were simply more successful capitalizing on opportunities given. They pretty much served notice by mid-third quarter that the NFC’s Super Bowl route still goes through Los Angeles.
The Saints started on the Rams side of the field enough times to generate at least two touchdowns but could only earn one field goal. By the mid-fourth quarter it became obvious that the Saints weren’t just outscored, they were beaten. Beaten down.
It’s unclear, and fans of the Saints can speculate all they want, if the game’s mishaps caused the outcome to alter. But they can and should officially put it to bed now in New Orleans. We know it’s hard, even impossible for quite a few in that fan base. However, not doing so doesn’t reflect well on them.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
