The Los Angeles Rams defended their undefeated streak in New Orleans in an offensive shootout against the Saints. These two offensive juggernauts didn’t disappoint but the Saints ended the streak with a 45-35 victory.
The Saints struck first with an 11-yard touchdown run by Alvin Kamara. The Rams retaliated with a Todd Gurley 8-yard touchdown run. Kamara continued his dominant performance with 16-yard touchdown reception from Drew Brees to take the lead, 14-7.
The Rams answered back early in the second quarter with a Jared Goff 4-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks to tie it at 14. The Rams did fail to capitalize off a Mark Ingram fumble. Sean McVay opted for a fake field goal attempt, but Johnny Hekker was a yard shy from converting. The Saints took advantage of the turnover and drove the ball downfield where Brees found Tre’Quan Smith for a 4-yard touchdown pass to retake the lead, 21-14.
Greg Zuerlein missed a 51-yard field goal attempt that really pumped up the Saints’ 12th man. Brees fed off of the energy and floated a 13-yard touchdown pass to Benjamin Watson to increase the lead, 28-14. To add linsult to injury, Goff was picked off, and led to another Kamara touchdown, 35-14. But, the Rams managed to squeak in a Zuerlein 56-yard field goal in only 26 seconds before halftime. The Rams trailed 35-17.
The Rams came into the second half and played with a sense of urgency. Malcolm Brown made a spectacular play by tiptoeing the sidelines to score on a 18-yard touchdown pass; the Rams trimmed the lead, 35-24. The Rams defense managed to contain the Saints offense in the third quarter. This allowed the Rams to score on a 34-yard field goal attempt, 35-27.
The Rams’ defensive dominance continued with new addition Dante Fowler being the difference. Goff found Cooper Kupp on a 41-yard bomb. The Rams then tied the game at 35 with a successful 2-point conversion to Gerald Everett. The Saints refused to relinquish the game and Wil Lutz hit a booming 54-yard field goal to take the lead, 38-35. Marcus Peters was beat by Michael Thomas, which led to a 72-yard touchdown, 45-35 with 3:52 left in the fourth quarter. The final nail in the coffin was a turnover on downs.
The Rams will travel back to Los Angeles to redeem themselves against their divisional rivals, the Seattle Seahawks. Kickoff is at 1:25 p.m. PST on FOX.
Source: ESPN.com
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