Los Angeles Rams vs New Orleans Saints Prediction & Betting Tips - NFL

Prediction published on 19/12/2023, 20:15  by Matthew Newman | Modified on 20/12/2023 at 16:05 in NFL Predictions

A pair of 7-7 teams clash in the early hours of Friday morning as the New Orleans Saints visit the Los Angeles Rams. Both teams will like their chances of making the playoffs but that has to start with a win in this game to push themselves over .500 and their opponents under. The Rams are playing some excellent football of late, their only loss in their last five games coming in overtime on the road at the Baltimore Ravens who are the number one seed in the AFC at present. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has had a down year but 22-year-old wide receiver Puka Nacua has been a standout in his rookie season. He has 87 catches for 1,163 yards which will gain him a shot at the Rookie of the Year award. The offence has been added to by second-year running back Kyren Williams. He is closing in on 1,000 yards on the season and has scored eight touchdowns to give the team some nice balance. Aaron Donald is not quite the force he once was on the defensive side of the ball but he is still a man to be feared, with six sacks and 21 quarterback hits on the season, both of which lead the team. 

The Saints have the good fortune to play in the NFC South, the weakest division in football. They have won their last two games, both at home but have not been as strong on the road this season. Three wins on their travels include victories at the 2-12 Panthers and 3-11 Patriots so they did not need to be better than average to see off those two teams. Derek Carr has shown a bit more like his best in their recent wins, throwing for three touchdowns against the Giants last week, producing a 134.8 quarterback rating which was his best of the season in the process. The defence has been the strength of the Saints this season, giving up a single touchdown in their last 11 quarters of play. They give up an average of 19 points per game but their last three on the road have seen them concede 27, 27 and 24 so they need to bring their home defence to Los Angeles if they are to win this.