-
Edgar Chaput
Rams vs. Saints Point Spread: NFL Week 13 Odds, Prediction
The Los Angeles Rams’ 2024 season is teetering on the edge. They’re in the NFC West race at 5-6 but struggle to play consistently. The latest setback was a 37-20 humbling by the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night at home. Conversely, the New Orleans Saints are a long shot to win the NFC South, but they’ve played better football lately.
Our NFL odds believe the Rams will right the ship and put them as -3 favourites.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Rams-Saints history has had special occasions. There was a bonkers Wild Card playoff game in the 2000 season (Saints won). The January 2020 controversial NFC Championship Game (Rams won). The 45-35 New Orleans victory in the regular season earlier that same season. Last year’s 30-22 Rams’ win in December, which helped them get into the postseason.
Overall, Los Angeles has won three of the past four meetings with New Orleans, although Jared Goff – now with the Detroit Lions – piloted L.A.’s attack in a couple of them.
Betters should be mindful when speculating on the Rams. They’re only 4-7 against the spread, which includes a surprise loss to Miami when they were favoured and getting blown out by Philadelphia when they were +3 underdogs. Even the spreads that temper expectations aren’t met by this team sometimes.
Not that New Orleans’ 5-6 ATS record is splendid in comparison. They did at least put a halt to a five-game losing streak after firing the previous head coach. Since then, they’ve both won outright and covered twice in a row. This Week 13 match is also their third in a row in the confines of their dome.
Both the Saints and Rams cough up over 130 yards per game on the ground on defence. They rank them 26thand 28th in that category, respectively. New Orleans, at least, has the ninth-best rushing attack (130.7 yards per match).
Los Angeles Rams
For those watching Sunday Night Football at home, Week 12’s contest versus the Eagles felt like a road game for the Rams. Imagine what it must have been like at SoFi Stadium.
Frankly, the visiting Eagles played with the confidence of a home side, rumbling their way to a 37-20 win. Rather, Los Angeles was run all over. The Rams gave up 255 yards to RB Saquon Barkley, including a back-breaking 70-yard score on the first play of the third quarter. L.A.’s porous run defence conceded a 72-yard in the fourth.
In contrast, Kyren Williams’ 72-yard night (and a TD) was utterly forgettable. WR Puka Nacua helped Matthew Stafford as best he could (nine receptions for 117 yards), and WR Cooper Kupp scored a touchdown, but this was a dismal performance overall, particularly from the defence. L.A. went an appalling 0-for-8 on third down.
New Orleans Saints
There are good vibes in New Orleans these days. Not great vibes, given the 4-7 record, but good. At least interim head coach Darren Rizzi has his men looking like they enjoy showing up to the office.
Some of that success has to do with the gadget man that is Taysom Hill. In the team’s 35-14 destruction of the Cleveland Browns a fortnight ago, Hill ran for 138 yards on only seven touches. Oh, and he scored three TDs. Derek Carr was excellent (21-for-27, 248 yards, 2 TDs), but that wasn’t the day’s highlight. It was just that kind of afternoon for Hill.
The offence will need to continue finding different ways to make gains, as WR Chris Olave remains out and Rachid Shaheed is gone for the season.
Look for Hill to have a role to play against a Rams defence that’s quite vulnerable now.
LAR
NO