[AvengerRam]

The Rams' defensive backfield has overall been a bit of a disappointment this year.

And now they have to face Drew Brees.

So they're in trouble, right?

Maybe not.

I feel that the Rams DBs have fared much better overall dealing with the short passing game, while they have been beaten all to frequently by the deep pass. If I'm right, then perhaps Brees is not the scariest QB out there for the Rams.

Here's a stat that suggests backs up my point: intended air yards per attempt (in other words, how far down the field the QB is typically throwing), looking at some of the QBs who have given the Rams problems this year compared to Brees:

Russell Wilson 9.1
Aaron Rodgers 8.6
Phillip Rivers 8.3
Kirk Cousins 7.1
Drew Brees 6.4

In fact, Brees is second to last in this category among current NFL starters, ahead of Derek Carr (6.0), and behind C.J. Beathard (6.7).

So... as great as Brees is, I think he might be a better match-up for the Rams DBs than some of the other top QBs.

I'm feeling strangely confident about this one.

[ramsfan1977]

Is there a reason why they feel they have to rotate Shields and Hill? Other than trying to keep Shields healthy for season my naked eye tells me Hill is not as good as Sam and should not be getting as many snaps.

[Elmgrovegnome]

I watched the first half of the Saints/Vikings game. I was surprised to see how many short passes Brees threw. I wondered if there was a shoulder problem, or maybe his age has taken its toll on the deep ball. Maybe teams have just been playing to take away the pass, resulting in short throws to the RBs?

In the Rams/Green Bay game, I kept wondering where the short throws past the Dline were, then they showed up in the second half. Defenses may be attacking the Saints similarly, to what some are trying to do to the Rams.

[/zn/]

Different stats, same issue.

Russell Wilson
% of attempts, 21-30 yards, & completion percentage: 9% A, 46.7% C
% of attempts, 31+ yards, & completion percentage: 4.2% A, 71% C (which is absolutely first-rate & very rare)

Aaron Rodgers
% of attempts, 21-30 yards, & completion percentage: 11% A, 33.3% C
% of attempts, 31+ yards, & completion percentage: 4.3% A, 18% C

Phillip Rivers
% of attempts, 21-30 yards, & completion percentage: 5.7% A, 18% C
% of attempts, 31+ yards, & completion percentage: 6.2% A, 41.7% C

Kirk Cousins
% of attempts, 21-30 yards, & completion percentage: 4.3% A, 46.2% C
% of attempts, 31+ yards, & completion percentage: 3.6% A, 27% C

Drew Brees
% of attempts, 21-30 yards, & completion percentage: 5% A, 72.7% C
% of attempts, 31+ yards, & completion percentage: 2.2% A, 20% C

[Friendlysaint]

As a Saints fan, i decides to make a post after viewing this one.

Drew Brees can still chuck the long ball.

The problem is when we score fast we get scored on fast. We are controlling games and keeping opposing QBs off the field.

The Saints will be booking on the same thing Vikings booked on last year.... the crowd not giving Goff time to communicate prior to the play. To do that Saints will likely want the ball first.. score first... then put pressure on goff to score. Its likely to be 7 to 7 early as Rams will have a planned out opening drive.. the issue comes on matching every subsequent drives.

[sloramfan]

im not taking anything for granted with brees...

especially with our "bites on the first move" "superstar" corner...

you can take it to the bank, that sean and drew have gameplanned that ...

im hoping the rest of the team gets it rolling, cuz this looks like another nail-biter..

this is the game ive had circled all year..

go rams

slo

[PARAM]

CB Marshon Lattimore didn't play for the Saints. Robert Woods, Malcolm Brown and Nickell-Robey didn't play for the Rams. The Saints secondary this week should consist of Lattimore, CB Ken Crawley (also inactive last year), FS Marcus Williams and SS Kurt Coleman with PJ Williams (who started for Lattimore last year) at nickel.

On offense in the passing game, the Saints feature Michael Thomas (58-669, 4 TD), Alvin Kamara (47-293, 4 TD) and Benjamin Watson (23-230, 1 TD). Ted Ginn has been on IR since the end of September with TreQuan Smith (10 rec, 191 yds, 2 TDs) and Cameron Meredith (9-114, 1 TD) also contributing.


Interesting viewpoint from "FriendlySaintsFan" on how they should play the Rams. Last year the Rams took the opening kickoff, drove 59 yards for a TD and played from ahead all day. They had a 10-0 lead in the first, a 17-10 lead at the half, a 20-10 lead at the end of the third and a 23-10 lead with 14 minutes to go, finally winning 26-20. Goff had 1 pick while the Saints didn't have a turnover. Both were horrible on third down (Saints 3 of 13, Rams 3 of 14).


For the Rams Sammy Watkins was targeted 9 times and had 4 receptions. Didn't he miss a catchable deep ball in that one? Josh Reynolds had a TD reception in place of Woods. Can't wait to see this one.


Of course it's easier said than done but hold down Thomas and Kamara and you've got a great chance to win.

[Friendlysaint]

The biggest problem is the multitide of weapons.

Taysom hill couod come in and go rpo at any point in the game.
Drew brees comes in and runs it..

Basically if you protect deep to stop drew... we bring in taysom hill and kamara with RPO or hand offs to kamara ingram.. if you start to stack the box then hall of famer brees picks you apart.. the ravens was the only team that actually had a fighting chance of stopping the offense.

[HAL 9000]

I appreciate the OP's point of view but after all the analytics are said and done, and as the game progresses, many times you can just throw them all out the window. It comes down to who has the ability to adapt.

That's just the way games go. Turnovers, a special team play here or there, a let down for one team or the other, who knows. Most will say it will be a barn burner high scoring affair then when all is said and done it ends up a low scoring defensive struggle.

Most will say it will be a close game, who ever has the ball last will win, or maybe it will be a blowout.

In a nut shell, I think this game will be the opposite of what the analytics say.

Just my two cents worth.

Carry on......

[PARAM]

The biggest problem is the multitide of weapons.

Basically if you protect deep to stop drew... we bring in taysom hill and kamara with RPO or hand offs to kamara ingram.. if you start to stack the box then hall of famer brees picks you apart.. the ravens was the only team that actually had a fighting chance of stopping the offense.

Well that's all predicated on the Saints defense stopping the Rams right? And FWIW, we ain't exactly short of firepower ourselves. Especially if Kupp is back in the lineup.

You guys are #1 (74.1 ypg) against the run. Is that going to hold up Sunday? You're run on the 6th fewest in the NFL. How will the D hold up if Gurley and the Rams emphasize the run?

You're 28th against the pass. Is that a byproduct of playing with the lead in the 2nd half? You have faced the 10th fewest number of passes. Maybe not.

It should be a good game. The Saints have good coaching, good QB play, a talented roster and home field. The Rams have all but the home field. Hell it all could come down to special teams!!