Saints send resounding message to NFL with big shootout win over the Rams

Butch Dill/AP

• The New Orleans Saints became the first team to beat the Los Angeles Rams this season, topping them 45-35 in a memorable shootout.
• While the game displayed both teams' high-octane offenses, it was the Saints defense that came up big when needed, slowing down the Rams to take control of the game.
• The Saints are now the league's hottest team, riding a seven-game win streak and looking like the Super Bowl contender most expected.

The New Orleans Saints sent a huge message to the rest of the NFL, beating the Los Angeles Rams, 45-35, on Sunday. In doing so, the Saints became the first team this year to beat the star-studded Rams.

Both teams entered the game as the hottest teams in the league. The Saints have not lost since a surprising Week 1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the Rams were the last undefeated team in the NFL.

The NFL world expected a shootout, and early on, both teams delivered. The Rams and Saints exchanged two touchdowns each on the first four possessions of the game, with both clubs showing off their talented running backs (Alvin Kamara for the Saints, Todd Gurley for the Rams) and precise passing attacks.

At the end of the first half, however, the Saints took control. After the Rams missed a field goal to end the scoring streak, the Saints scored on a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Benjamin Watson. On the ensuing possession, the Saints picked off Rams quarterback Jared Goff, then got a third touchdown from Kamara to take a 35-14 lead.

But just as the Saints seized control in the first half, the Rams came out attacking in the second half, nearly wrestling back control of the game.

The Rams defense, boasting All-Pros like Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, and Marcus Peters, got after the Saints, forcing consecutive punts. Meanwhile, Goff and company found their groove, spreading the ball around to score 18 straight points on three drives.

After the Rams evened the score at 35, it was the Saints defense that won them the game. They forced a crucial punt, allowing Drew Brees to get the ball back and hit Michael Thomas on a 72-yard shot down the field.

It was hard to watch the two heavyweights battle it out and not imagine them facing off in January, perhaps in the NFC championship. Both teams entered Sunday with top-five offenses in DVOA. While their defenses haven't lived up to expectations, they are both capable at getting stops or creating big plays when they need to.

No team in the league is hotter than the Saints right now. After a sluggish start to the year, the Saints have rounded into the Super Bowl contender most expected.