The 2023 NFL season has produced a lot of shocks. It’s hard to find a bigger one than the Rams, though.
Sean McVay’s side was widely tipped to finish down the totem pole in the NFC. It’s too old, some reckoned, believing a team dependent on the broad shoulders of Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and the aging Matthew Stafford couldn’t be relied upon come crunch time.
How wrong the critics were. Through 14 games, Los Angeles is 7-7, holding sole possession of the final wild-card spot in the NFC. It’s been a resplendent showing for McVay and Co., one spearheaded by eye-catching performances from old blood and new. Stafford has turned back the clock, showing flashes of his former self en route to 3,320 yards, 21 touchdowns and a 90.9 QBR. Meanwhile, Puka Nacua, Ernest Jones and Kyren Williams front a youthful vanguard, one that hopes to lead the Rams back to the promised land.
MORE: Saints vs. Rams Week 16 TNF odds, picks, predictions
It’s perhaps McVay’s greatest-ever magic trick — turning a ragtag group that won just five games in 2022 into one of the league’s more competitive squads. And it will look to keep the good times rolling on Thursday, when it faces off against the 7-7 Saints.
Derek Carr’s arrival in the Bayou was met with plenty of fanfare. It hasn’t necessarily paid off. But his steady play has given New Orleans a springboard to produce at a higher level than was the case when Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill shared the spotlight as dual starters.
The Saints are one win away from leapfrogging Los Angeles for its postseason position. A victory on enemy ground could turn the tide in a big way, especially with just two games left after Thursday’s affair.
MORE: Where Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Lamar Jackson sit vs. MVP field ahead Week 16
So, who wins out? We’ll have to wait and see. But expect a compelling matchup from SoFi Stadium, one that could prove very consequential as the number of postseason contenders continues to whittle down.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Rams vs. Saints, the Week 16 matchup that will take center stage on Amazon Prime’s ‘Thursday Night Football.’ Follow along as Los Angeles and New Orleans compete to stay in the fight come January for a Lombardi Trophy.
Rams vs. Saints score
1 2 3 4 F Rams 7 10 13 x x Saints 0 7 0 x x
Rams vs. Saints live updates, results, highlights from ‘Thursday Night Football’
(All times Eastern)
End of third quarter: Rams 30, Saints 7
10:30 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Another lengthy Rams drive ends in three points. It’s too easy for Sean McVay’s squad.
Rams 30, Saints 7
10:14 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Williams again! He waltzes into the end zone once more, his eighth of the campaign! This is turning into a blowout!
Mom’s mic’d up!#NOvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Nz8Z54zYm0 pic.twitter.com/aTwTP04Bgz
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
Rams 27, Saints 7
10:12 p.m.: Williams beginning to get some action. He just darted for 10 and seven yards on back-to-back carries. Finding his footing despite appearing to have suffered some sort of minor injury earlier in the frame.
10:09 p.m.: INTERCEPTION! Carr’s errant throw finds the hands of a waiting Jordan Fuller, who carries it 21 yards into New Orleans territory.
PICK. Jordan Fuller back the other way!#NOvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Nz8Z54zYm0 pic.twitter.com/L6J9U4705x
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
10:00 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Another chip shot extends that L.A. edge.
Rams 20, Saints 7
9:59 p.m.: Los Angeles continues to romp down the field with reckless abandon. Kupp, Nacua (and Robinson) are running roughshod against New Orleans’ weary defense.
9:52 p.m.: The Rams start the second-half with a bang; Stafford hits Nacua for 41 yards in the blink of an eye. Los Angeles starting the frame in style!
Rams picking up right where they left off. Nacua this time.#NOvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Nz8Z54zYm0 pic.twitter.com/crUYYbl9LB
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
End of second quarter: Rams 17, Saints 7
9:33 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Stafford hits Robinson once more for a score! Los Angeles’ lead returns to 10 just before the half ends!
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
Rams 17, Saints 0
9:30 p.m.: Stafford skewering through New Orleans’ defense as the quarter comes to a close. He just completed a pair of throws to DeMarcus Robinson and found Nacua for another impressive gain. Los Angeles is percolating.
9:20 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Derek Carr hits Rashid Shaheed for a 45-yard score to cut into that L.A. lead. Things have slowed down considerably for the Rams in recent time. Perhaps New Orleans can use that to make their comeback effort.
NEED FOR SHAHEED. Carr hits him in stride 🎯 #NOvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Nz8Z54zYm0 pic.twitter.com/l3JiK3piAY
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
Rams 10, Saints 7
9:13 p.m.: Los Angeles unable to capitalize after yet another foray into New Orleans territory. Lucas Havrisik sees his effort go awry.
9:07 p.m.: The Saints have struggled to string much of anything together thus far. They just fell victim to yet another three-and-out.
9:00 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Los Angeles adds to its lead with a chip shot from the goal-line.
Rams 10, Saints 0
8:54 p.m.: Nacua makes magic happen in the open field! Just left his marker strewn about the terrain like leaves on an autumn day.
8:51 p.m.: Rams keep the pressure going with a stop on fourth and short! Eye-catching stop for Los Angeles, who is in control early.
4th and 5… and the Rams get a sack 💪#NOvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Nz8Z54zYm0 pic.twitter.com/T7P6uQnhi2
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
End of first quarter: Rams 7, Saints 0
8:40 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! It’s Nacua! He sprints beyond marker before fielding in an arrow from Matthew Stafford, opening the scoring as the quarter comes to a close!
4th and NACUA!@RamsNFL open up the scoring on TNF. #RamsHouse#NOvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Nz8Z54zYm0 pic.twitter.com/V5ZIWx9SAf
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
Rams 7, Saints 0
8:35 p.m.: The Rams are trotting down the field with aplomb. Tyler Higbee, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp have all frolicked down the field as Los Angeles has brought itself to the cusp of the end zone.
Nacua said get OFF me.#NOvsLAR on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Nz8Z54zYm0 pic.twitter.com/Mh5nPPW9bn
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
8:21 p.m.: Catch No. 4 for Olave. He’s feeling himself in the opening drive.
8:19 p.m.: Olave opens his account with three straight catches. Looks like he’s been pretty healthy so far.
8:15 p.m.: The Rams win the toss. They’ll open the game with the ball.
7:50 p.m.: Chris Olave active for tonight’s contest. Looks like he’s recovered enough from his ankle injury to get involved in this one. The Saints-leading receiver will need to be on his P’s and Q’s matched up against Los Angeles No. 1 Cobie Durant.
7:45 p.m.: Kyren Williams has enjoyed a breakout campaign this season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry (tied for fifth-most in the league). He could very well break the 1,000-yard mark in tonight’s game.
7:22 p.m.: More Shohei content for your feed. This is what it’s all about.
Can’t spell #RamsHouse without Sho. 😏 pic.twitter.com/0rMM7DcJvJ
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2023
7:18 p.m.: This is just so so funny. Ohtani already played in Los Angeles before his move. The Angels are truly a shambles.
pic.twitter.com/zjh3yfQgUv
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 22, 2023
7:10 p.m.: Shohei Ohtani is in the building for this one. The King of Los Angeles has returned.
Shohei Ohtani at the Rams game pic.twitter.com/kSbo1jYYZ1
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 22, 2023
7:00 p.m.: Here’s a look at the inactives for tonight’s game. New Orleans tailback Kendre Miller misses out again as his ankle injury woes continue.
Inactive for the Rams against the Saints: DB Tre Tomlinson, RB Zach Evans, OLB Ochaun Mathis, OL Warren McClendon Jr. and DE Desjuan Johnson.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) December 21, 2023
Saints inactives vs. Rams
Jake Haener
Cameron Dantzler
Kendre Miller (ankle)
Lonnie Johnson (knee)
Isaiah Foskey (quadricep)
Monty Rice
Ryan Ramczyk (knee)
We haven’t seen Miller since he left on 11/5 against the Bears. It’ll be his sixth straight missed game.
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) December 21, 2023
6:20 p.m.: Javonte Williams has got the moves. Is anyone surprised about that, though? He’s known for his silky-smooth cuts on the field. Frankly, he should be moving like an amoeba off of it.
We used it, @jswaggdaddy 😂#NOvsLAR – 8pm ET on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/eGpnNjyl7W
— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2023
Rams vs. Saints start time
Date: Thursday, Dec. 21Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. local time)
Thursday night’s game between the Rams and the Saints will kick off in prime time at 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. local time) from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
What channel is Rams vs. Saints on today?
Game: Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans SaintsDate: Thursday, Dec. 21TV channel (Los Angeles): KTTVTV channel (New Orleans): WDSU 6Live stream: Amazon Prime Video | DAZN (in Canada)
Thursday’s clash between the Rams and Saints will air exclusively on Amazon Prime outside of the Los Angeles and New Orleans local markets. Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (color analyst) will be on the call from Acrisure Stadium, while Kaylee Hartung will offer her musings as a sideline reporter.
Viewers in Los Angeles and New Orleans can catch the game on KTTV and WDSU 6, respectively.
Audience members in Canada can stream it on DAZN, which carries every NFL game of the season.
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