The Rams opened as 4-point favourites on the NFL odds.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

While both teams enter at 7-7, the Saints are in a much better spot for making the playoffs because of not just the wild card but they also are tied for the NFC South lead with Tampa Bay, although the Bucs currently hold the tiebreaker and New Orleans sits eighth in the conference overall, one spot out of the final WC spot. 

Los Angeles, which can’t win the NFC West as it already has been clinched by San Francisco, imploded last season but Sean McVay has done a great job this year, and the Rams are the NFC’s final wild card team as things stand because as of now they win the tiebreak over New Orleans based on best win per centage in conference games. Needless to say, the head-to-head result will trump all. 

Including a couple of playoff matchups and dating to the Rams’ days in St. Louis, they lead the all-time series 43-35-0. They played Week 11 last year in New Orleans and the Saints won 27-20 as Andy Dalton, now a backup with Carolina, had one of the best games of his career in completing 21 of 25 for 260 yard and three scores for a 149.6 rating that’s not far from perfect. Rams counterpart Matthew Stafford also was good in completing 11-for-18 for 159 yards and two scores before leaving to be evaluated for a concussion in the second half. The former No. 1 overall pick would not end up playing again last season.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints played without No. 1 WR Chris Olave on Sunday but still managed to beat the Giants 24-6 to end New York’s three-game winning streak. Derek Carr has been very up-and-down this season but was up Sunday with three TD passes, only five incompletions and no turnovers. Carr has 3,098 passing yards this season and became the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards in each of his first 10 career seasons, joining Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson. If New Orleans can score 24 points each game, it’s going to be in the playoffs because it has a very good defence. Tanoh Kpassagnon had three sacks against New York, and New Orleans totaled seven sacks while holding the Giants to 60 net rushing yards. “There have been a couple other games … where I feel like we put a complete game together,” said coach Dennis Allen, who is on a bit of a hot seat. “I do feel like this was a complete game for our team.” Not clear if Olave, the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up, will be able to return from his ankle injury in a quick turnaround. The Saints are also eligible to open the practice window for wide receiver and former Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas this week.

Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles entered its Week 9 bye at 3-6 and on a three-game skid but is now 7-7 following Sunday’s 28-20 win over Washington. Matthew Stafford deserves Comeback Player of the Year votes as he threw two more TD passes in the win, his fourth straight game with multiple TD throws and third straight without a pick. Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp on a 62-yard TD, Kupp’s longest since a 69-yard receiving score against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9 last season. It was his eighth career receiving touchdown of 50-plus yards, which is the most by any Rams player since the 1970 merger. Kyren Williams wasn’t even the No. 1 back when this season started but is having a Pro Bowl-calibre season as he rushed for 152 yards and a TD on 27 carries. He’s up to 11 total TDs. WR Tutu Atwell and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein both were out injured but should play Thursday. Ditto cornerback Akhello Witherspoon, who left with an injury. 

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Saints vs. Rams?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Saints Team Leaders

NO

Touchdowns	Taysom Hill 7
Rushing	Alvin Kamara 694
Passing	Derek Carr 3878
Receiving	Chris Olave 87
Sacks	Carl Granderson 8.5
Interceptions	Paulson Adebo 4

LAR

Touchdowns	Kyren Williams 15
Rushing	Kyren Williams 1144
Passing	Matthew Stafford 3965
Receiving	Puka Nacua 105
Sacks	Kobie Turner 9
Interceptions	Jordan Fuller 3

NO

Touchdowns
Rushing
Passing	Did not qualify
Receiving
Sacks
Interceptions

LAR

Touchdowns	Puka Nacua 1
Rushing	Kyren Williams 61
Passing	Matthew Stafford 367
Receiving	Puka Nacua 9
Sacks	Ernest Jones 2
Interceptions	Tremayne Anchrum Jr. 0

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Rams Team Leaders

NO

Touchdowns	Taysom Hill 7
Rushing	Alvin Kamara 694
Passing	Derek Carr 3878
Receiving	Chris Olave 87
Sacks	Carl Granderson 8.5
Interceptions	Paulson Adebo 4

LAR

Touchdowns	Kyren Williams 15
Rushing	Kyren Williams 1144
Passing	Matthew Stafford 3965
Receiving	Puka Nacua 105
Sacks	Kobie Turner 9
Interceptions	Jordan Fuller 3

NO

Touchdowns
Rushing
Passing	Did not qualify
Receiving
Sacks
Interceptions

LAR

Touchdowns	Puka Nacua 1
Rushing	Kyren Williams 61
Passing	Matthew Stafford 367
Receiving	Puka Nacua 9
Sacks	Ernest Jones 2
Interceptions	Tremayne Anchrum Jr. 0

Weather

temp	63
condition	cloudy
wind	Southeast 3mph

Injuries

New Orleans

A.T. Perry (WR)

Prob Sun Illness - 04 / 01 / 24

Juwan Johnson (TE)

Prob Sun Chest - 03 / 01 / 24

Erik McCoy (C)

Prob Sun Foot - 03 / 01 / 24

Chris Olave (WR)

Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 01 / 24

Khalen Saunders (DT)

Ques Sun Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24

Alvin Kamara (RB)

day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 01 / 24

Nephi Sewell (LB)

I-R Knee - 31 / 12 / 23

Landon Young (OT)

day-to-day Leg - 31 / 12 / 23

Alvin Kamara (RB)

Prob Sun Ankle - 29 / 12 / 23

Lou Hedley (P)

Ques Sun Illness - 29 / 12 / 23

L.A. Rams

Bobby Brown III (NT)

Ques Sun Illness - 12 / 01 / 24

Alaric Jackson (OL)

Prob Sun Personal - 12 / 01 / 24

Jordan Fuller (DB)

Ques Sun Ankle - 10 / 01 / 24

Kevin Dotson (OL)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 10 / 01 / 24

Troy Reeder (LB)

Ques Sun Knee - 10 / 01 / 24

Brian Allen (OL)

Prob Sun Illness - 04 / 01 / 24

Bobby Brown III (NT)

Prob Sun Knee - 04 / 01 / 24

Jordan Fuller (DB)

Prob Sun Ankle - 04 / 01 / 24

Joe Noteboom (OL)

Ques Sun Foot - 04 / 01 / 24

Desjuan Johnson (DE)

Prob Sun Toe - 04 / 01 / 24

Injuries

New Orleans

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
A.T. Perry (WR)	Prob Sun	Illness - 04 / 01 / 24	1-0	0-1	+ -
Perry is ailing from an illness, but it is expected that he will play against the Falcons on Sunday.
Juwan Johnson (TE)	Prob Sun	Chest - 03 / 01 / 24	1-0	0-1	+ -
Johnson has a chest injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Sunday's showdown with the Falcons.
Erik McCoy (C)	Prob Sun	Foot - 03 / 01 / 24	1-0	0-1	+ -
McCoy is limited due to a foot issue, but it is likely that he will dress for Sunday's battle with the Falcons.
Chris Olave (WR)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 03 / 01 / 24	1-0	0-1	+ -
Olave has an ankle injury, but it is predicted that he will line up for Sunday's tilt against the Falcons.
Khalen Saunders (DT)	Ques Sun	Concussion - 03 / 01 / 24	1-0	0-1	+ -
Saunders is going through the concussion protocol, and it is uncertain if he will line up for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Alvin Kamara (RB)	day-to-day	Ankle - 01 / 01 / 24	1-0	0-1	+ -
Kamara is laid up with an ankle sprain, leaving his availability for postseason play unclear.
Nephi Sewell (LB)	I-R	Knee - 31 / 12 / 23	1-1	1-1	+ -
Sewell has been ticketed to the injured reserve list with a knee injury.
Landon Young (OT)	day-to-day	Leg - 31 / 12 / 23	1-1	1-1	+ -
Young is nursing a leg injury, and it is unknown when he will return to the field.
Alvin Kamara (RB)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 29 / 12 / 23	1-1	1-1	+ -
Kamara is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up Sunday versus the Buccaneers.
Lou Hedley (P)	Ques Sun	Illness - 29 / 12 / 23	1-1	1-1	+ -
Hedley is dealing with an illness, and it is up in the air whether he will face the Buccaneers on Sunday.

L.A. Rams

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Bobby Brown III (NT)	Ques Sun	Illness - 12 / 01 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Brown has an illness, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Lions in the NFC wild-card round.
Alaric Jackson (OL)	Prob Sun	Personal - 12 / 01 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Jackson is tending to a personal matter, but it is forecasted that he will be active for the NFC wild-card round versus the Lions.
Jordan Fuller (DB)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 10 / 01 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Fuller has an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will be a participant in the NFC wild-card game versus the Lions.
Kevin Dotson (OL)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 10 / 01 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Dotson has a shoulder injury, leaving his availability for the NFC wild-card game versus the Lions clouded.
Troy Reeder (LB)	Ques Sun	Knee - 10 / 01 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Reeder is hampered by a knee issue, and it has yet to be established if he will battle the Lions in the NFC wild-card game.
Brian Allen (OL)	Prob Sun	Illness - 04 / 01 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Allen is managing an illness, but it is predicted that he will battle the 49ers on Sunday.
Bobby Brown III (NT)	Prob Sun	Knee - 04 / 01 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Brown is hampered by a knee injury, but it is expected that he will be in Sunday's lineup versus the 49ers.
Jordan Fuller (DB)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 04 / 01 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Fuller has an ankle ailment, but it is expected that he will battle the 49ers on Sunday.
Joe Noteboom (OL)	Ques Sun	Foot - 04 / 01 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Noteboom is tending to a foot injury, and it is uncertain if he will participate in the NFC wild-card game versus the Lions.
Desjuan Johnson (DE)	Prob Sun	Toe - 04 / 01 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Johnson is hobbled by a toe issue, but it is expected that he will take the field against the 49ers on Sunday.