Our NFL Game of the Week is between the two best teams in the NFC.
Los Angeles Rams (8-0) $2.05 @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-1) $1.80
Monday, Nov. 3, 8:25am AEDT.
Sunday, Nov. 4, 4:25pm EST. New Orleans, LA. Mercedes-Benz Superdome (74,295).
This game couldn’t come at a better time. The Saints, coming off last week’s GOTW, won comfortably against the Minnesota Vikings. That matchup was to determine the second-best team in the NFC.
The best team in the NFC, and the league right now, is the LA Rams. And the Rams are coming off an impressive victory against Aaron Rodgers and the Greenbay Packers. While the Packers were the underdogs in that game, the Rams played poorly and still pulled out a win, which is the mark of a champion team.
With both the Rams and the Saints coming off big wins that solidify them as the two powerhouses of the NFC, the scheduling of this match is one of those rare moments where the stars align. Everyone is excited for this one.
The Saints and the Rams draw many comparisons in how they win football games. Both teams have dynamic, young running backs who allow their more-than-capable quarterbacks to spread the field and operate in a balanced offense.
On paper, they’re probably the two most complete teams in the league, and for the most part, they’ve both lived up to their potential. The Rams seem to have no weaknesses, at least for now. And the Saints’ secondary should be better than they’re playing. While that is a glaring weakness for the Saints, look for them to get better, especially after acquiring CB Eli Apple from the Giants in a recent trade.
If the Saints can be better in the secondary this week, they stand a good chance of winning at home. For all the great plays Rams QB Jared Goff has made this year, he’s still young, and he’s still only asked to do what he can.
Goff and coach McVay lean heavily on Todd Gurley to open up the play-action, giving Goff more time and space to take deep shots down the field. If the Saints can make Goff feel uncomfortable early, he’s more likely to make mistakes and dig his team into a hole than is Saints future hall-of-fame QB, Drew Brees.
But the Rams are still undefeated – and it’s for a reason. If they get into an early offensive rhythm, the Saints will be playing catch-up the whole game. And in this scenario, it’s easier to see the Rams defence coming up with big plays to win the game, as opposed to the Saints.
| Regular Season Stats | Rams | Saints |
| Total Offense Yds/G (rank) | 442.6 (2) | 389.9 (8) |
| Rushing Offense | 150.9 (1) | 108.0 (17) |
| Passing Offense | 291.8 (7) | 281.9 (9) |
| Total Defence Yds/G | 331.4 (8) | 374.1 (23) |
| Rushing Defence | 100.9 (12) | 74.1 (1) |
| Passing Defence | 230.5 (10) | 300.0 (28) |
| Points Scored/Game | 33.0 (3) | 33.4 (2) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 19.4 (6) | 26.1 (23) |
| Sacks Allowed | 17.0 (13) | 9.0 (1) |
| Sacks Made | 22.0 (8) | 17.0 (23) |
| Total TDs Scored | 30 (2) | 27 (4) |
| Penalties Against/Game | 5.1 (3) | 6.4 (14) |
| Turnover Differential | +7 (3) | 0 (17) |
Our tip
While the Saints at home are tempting, the Rams are the best team in the league. This may be a punters last chance this season
to capitalise on the Rams being the underdog.
Rams to win @ $2.05
