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Game Preview: Saints vs. Rams - 2023 NFL Week 16

The Los Angeles Rams host the New Orleans Saints in Week 16 of the 2023 NFL regular season on Thursday Night Football, Dec. 21, 2023 at 7:15 p.m. CT.

Saints at Rams Game Preview Week 16 2023 (1)

WEEK 16 · Thu 12/21 · 7:15 PM CST

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Coming off a 24-6 win over the New York Giants on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, the New Orleans Saints (7-7) will play at the Los Angeles Rams (7-7) at SoFi Stadium on Thursday Night Football. The Rams lead the all-time regular season series 42-34. New Orleans is looking for their first road win at the Rams since 2009 and for their first road win on Thursday Night Football since 2019.

The Saints are tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their Week 17 opponent, for first place in the NFC South and also tied with three other 7-7 clubs, including the Rams, in the thick of the Wild Card playoff race.

RAMS vs. SAINTS SERIES HISTORY

The Saints and Rams have played 76 times in the regular season with Los Angeles holding a 42-34 edge, while the clubs have split two playoff contests. Former longtime foes in the NFC West, the Saints have played only the Atlanta Falcons (108) and the San Francisco 49ers (78) more often than the Rams.

In the 76 regular meetings of the series between the Saints and Rams there has been:

  • 1,588 points scored by New Orleans, 1,732 allowed.
  • A seven-game New Orleans winning streak from 1990-93.
  • Two three-game New Orleans winning streaks in contests played at the Superdome from 1985-87 and 1990-92.
  • 41 games decided by double-digits.
  • Ten games decided by 21 or more points.
  • 34 games decided by eight points or less.
  • One 31-point win by New Orleans.
  • A 31-point loss by New Orleans.

THE LAST MEETING

New Orleans Saints 27, Los Angeles Rams 20; Nov. 20, 2022 - Week 11 @ Caesars Superdome - The New Orleans Saints snapped a two-game losing streak with a 27-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

The Saints (4-7) used a two-quarterback system (Andy Dalton and Taysom Hill) to wake up their offense and score their most points since a 24-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders three weeks ago. Dalton threw three touchdown passes, including a 53-yarder to rookie sensation Chris Olave, and finished a very efficient 21 of 25 for 260 yards. Hill carried the ball nine times for 52 yards and was one of three passing for 14 yards. Running back Alvin Kamara had a solid game as well, carrying the ball 12 times for 42 yards and catching four passes for 47 yards. He passed 9,000 career yards from scrimmage in the game.

It was the 400th regular season win in franchise history. 🔎FULL GAME RECAP

New Orleans Saints players in action during their 2022 Week 11 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

RAMS vs. SAINTS STATISTICAL COMPARISON

2023 NFL League Rankings

Table inside Article
Saints Rams
Record 7-7 7-7
Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) 22.1 (12t) 23.4 (9)
Opp. Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) 19.1 (6) 22.1 (19)
Total Off. (NFL Rank) 334.5 (14) 357.2 (9)
Rushing Off. (NFL Rank) 103.2 (19) 121.3 (11)
Passing Off. (NFL Rank) 231.3 (16) 235.9 (11)
Total Def. (NFL Rank) 311.9 (11) 336.9 (18)
Rushing Def. (NFL Rank) 126.4 (25) 110.8 (14)
Passing Def. (NFL Rank) 185.4 (6) 226.1 (21)
Kickoff Return Avg. (NFL Rank) 21.3 (23) 17.8 (31)
Punt Return Avg. (NFL Rank) 12.4 (5) 6.8 (28)
Turnover Margin (NFL Rank) +5 (8t) -2 (18t)
Penalties 85 81
Penalty Yards 780 659
Opp. Penalties 86 90
Opp. Penalty Yards 637 823

New Orleans Saints fans cheered on the team during 2022 Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams on November 20, 2022 at the Caesars Superdome.

RAMS vs. SAINTS SERIES FAST FACTS

Saints' Largest Margin of Victory:

31 (Saints 37, Rams 6, 10/3/93 at Anaheim Stadium)

Rams' Largest Margin of Victory:

31 (Rams 43, Saints 12, 11/28/99 at Trans World Dome)

Current Series Streak:

Saints 1 (11/20/23-present)

Saints' Longest Win Streak:

7 (12/9/90-10/3/93)

Rams' Longest Win Streak:

5, Two times (10/26/75-10/16/77 and 9/11/83-11/3/85)

Most Points by Saints:

49, Rams 21 (11/27/16 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome)

Most Points by Rams:

45, Saints 28 (12/5/71 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum)

Most Points, Both Teams:

80 (Saints 45, Saints 35, 11/4/18 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome)

Fewest Points by Saints:

0, Rams 24 (9/22/74 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum)

Fewest Points by Rams:

0, Saints 6 (11/9/86 at Louisiana Superdome)

Fewest Points, Both Teams:

6, (Saints 6, Rams 0, 11/9/86 at Louisiana Superdome)

Most Rushing Yards (Saints):

RB George Rogers, 162 yards on 29 carries (5.6 avg.) with one touchdown on 9/13/81 at Louisiana Superdome.

Most Passing Yards (Saints):

QB Drew Brees, 393 yards on 30-of-56 passing with one touchdown on 12/15/13 at Edward Jones Dome.

Most Receptions (Saints):

WR Michael Thomas, 12 receptions for 211 yards (17.6 avg.) with one touchdown on 11/4/18 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Most Receiving Yards (Saints):

WR Michael Thomas, 211 yards on 12 receptions (17.6 avg.) with one touchdown on 11/4/18 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Most Rushing Yards (Rams):

RB Willie Ellison, 247 yards on 26 carries (9.5 avg.) with one touchdown on 12/5/71 at Los Angeles Coliseum.

Most Passing Yards (Rams):

Quarterback Jim Everett, 454 yards on 29-of-51 passing with one touchdown on 11/26/89 (OT) at Louisiana Superdome.

Most Receptions (Rams):

Wide receiver Flipper Anderson, 15 receptions for 336 yards (22.4 avg.) with one touchdown on 11/26/89 (OT) at Louisiana Superdome.

Most Receiving Yards (Rams):

Anderson, 336 yards on 11/26/89 at Louisiana Superdome

RAMS vs. SAINTS SUPERLATIVES

A look at the top individual performances for Saints players against the Rams in the previous 76 regular season meetings between the two clubs.

RUSHING YARDAGE vs. RAMS (100+yards)

  1. RB George Rogers – 30 carries for 162 yards, @ the Superdome, Sept. 13, 1981.
  2. RB George Rogers – 24 carries for 161 yards, @ Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Nov. 8, 1981.
  3. RB Mark Ingram – 14 carries for 146 yards and one touchdown, @ Superdome, Nov. 27, 2016.
  4. RB Dalton Hilliard – 24 carries for 112 yards, @ the Superdome, Nov. 26, 1989.
  5. RB Chuck Muncie – 15 carries for 109 yards, @ Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Nov. 28, 1976.
  6. RB Aaron Stecker – 18 carries for 105 yards, @ Edward Jones Dome, Sept. 26, 2004.
  7. RB Mario Bates – 22 carries for 106 yards, @ the Superdome, Oct. 29, 1995.
  8. RB Gil Fenerty – 10 carries for 104 yards, @ Anaheim Stadium, Dec. 9, 1990.
  9. RB Tony Galbreath – 20 carries for 100 yards, @ the Superdome, Oct. 30, 1977.

PASSING YARDAGE vs. RAMS (300+yards)

  1. QB Drew Brees – 39-of-56 for 393 yards, @ Edward Jones Dome, Dec. 15, 2013.
  2. QB Drew Brees – 25-of-36 for 346 yards with four TDs, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Nov. 4, 2018.
  3. QB Aaron Brooks – 24-of-41 for 316 yards, @ Edward Jones Dome, Sept. 26, 2004.
  4. QB Drew Brees – 28-of-36 for 310 yards with four TDs, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Nov. 27, 2016.

RECEIVING YARDAGE vs. RAMS (100+ yards)

  1. WR Michael Thomas – 12 receptions for 211 yards and one TD, @ the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Nov. 4, 2008.
  2. WR Willie Jackson – Eight receptions for 156 yards, @ the Superdome, Dec. 17, 2001.
  3. WR Eric Martin – Six receptions for 132 yards, @ the Superdome, Oct. 30, 1988.
  4. WR Marques Colston – Eight receptions for 129 yards, @ the Superdome, Nov. 11, 2007.
  5. WR Joe Horn – Eight receptions for 121 yards, @ Dome at America's Center, Oct. 28, 2001.
  6. WR Andre Hastings – Six receptions for 120 yards, @ the Superdome, Dec. 7, 1997.
  7. WR Eric Martin – Five receptions for 116 yards, @ Anaheim Stadium, Oct. 22, 1989.
  8. WR Andre Hastings – Nine receptions for 113 yards, @ Trans World Dome, Nov. 28, 1999.
  9. WR Michael Thomas – Nine receptions for 108 yards and two TDs, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Nov. 26, 2016.
  10. WR Eric Martin – Five receptions for 107 yards, @ the Superdome, Nov. 26, 1989.
  11. WR Eric Martin – Six receptions for 103 yards, @ the Superdome, Oct. 11, 1992.
  12. WR Chris Olave – Five receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown, @ Caesars Superdome, Dec. 17, 2023.
  13. RB Alvin Kamara – Six receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown, @ L.A. Memorial Coliseum, Nov. 26, 2017.
  14. WR Az-Zahir-Hakim – Six receptions for 100 yards, @ Edward Jones Dome, Oct. 23, 2005.

SACKS vs. RAMS (3+)

  1. LB Pat Swilling – Three sacks, @ Anaheim Stadium, Oct. 22, 1989.
  2. LB Pat Swilling – Three sacks, @ Anaheim Stadium, Nov. 3, 1991.
  3. LB Rickey Jackson – Three sacks, @ the Superdome, Oct. 11, 1992.
  4. DT La'Roi Glover – Three sacks, @ the Superdome, Nov. 15, 1998.
  5. DT La'Roi Glover – Three sacks, @ Trans World Dome, Nov. 26, 2000.
  6. DE Charles Grant – Three sacks, @ Edward Jones Dome, Sept. 26, 2004

RAMS vs. SAINTS CONNECTIONS

Saints Pass Rush Specialist Brian Young was a fifth round draft pick of the Rams in 2000 and played for them from 2000-03.

Rams Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator Eric Henderson is a New Orleans native who prepped at Edna Karr HS.

Saints Assistant Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry served as offensive line coach of the Rams from 2021-22. Carberry and Rams Running Backs Coach Ron Gould served on the same Stanford coaching staff in 2018.

Rams Pass Game Specialist Jake Peetz served as as LSU's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2021.

Rams Area Scout Billy Johnson also served a post-graduate year as Tulane's long-snapper and is the son of former Saints Defensive Line Coach Bill Johnson.

Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen and Tight Ends Coach Clancy Barone served on the same Atlanta staff with Rams Secondary Coach Chris Beake. Barone and Rams Defensive Assistant Mike Harris served on the same Chicago Bears coaching staff from 2019-21.

Saints S Jordan Howden prepped at Murrietta (Calif.) HS.

Saints Secondary Coach Marcus Robertson prepped at John Muir (Pasadena, Calif.) HS and is a member of the Pasadena Sports Hall of Fame.

New Orleans RB Jamaal Williams prepped at Summit (Fontana, Calif.) HS.

Saints WR Michael Thomas prepped at Taft Charter (Woodland Hills, Calif.) HS as a senior and Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif) HS as a freshman.

Rams WR Cooper Kupp is the grandson of former New Orleans OL Jake Kupp, a member of the Saints All-50th team.

Saints WR Chris Olave played at both Mission Hills (San Marcos, Calif.) HS and Eastlake (Chula Vista, Calif.) HS.

Olave, Saints LB Pete Werner and Rams DB Jordan Fuller were college teammates at Ohio State.

Saints WR Rashid Shaheed prepped at Mt. Carmel (San Diego, Calif.) HS.

Shaheed and Rams DT Jonah Williams were college teammates at Weber State.

Saints DB Lonnie Johnson Jr. and LB Monty Rice played for Rams Special Teams Coordinator Chase Blackburn in Tennessee in 2022.

Rams Assistant Offensive Line Coach A.C. Carter is a New Orleans native who played at Nicholls State from 2012-15 and served on the same Eastern Illinois coaching staff with Saints Defensive Assistant Adam Gristick at Eastern Illinois in 2018.

Rams LB Justin Hollins and Saints OL Calvin Throckmorton were college teammates at Oregon.

Saints Senior Defensive Assistant Peter Giunta was defensive backs coach for the Rams in 1997, then was the co-defensive coordinator during the 1998-1999 seasons and in 2000 was the defensive coordinator.

Saints FB Adam Prentice and Rams LB Ernest Jones were college teammates at South Carolina in 2020.

New Orleans DE Bryan Bresee and Rams TE Davis Allen were teammates at Clemson.

New Orleans RB Kendre Miller, Rams OL Steve Avila, RB Zach Evans and DB Tre Tomlinson were college teammates at TCU.

Los Angeles OL Kevin Dotson was a standout at Louisiana-Lafayette.

New Orleans CB Isaac Yiadom and Los Angeles S John Johnson III were college teammates at Boston College.

Saints Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods tutored Johnson in Cleveland from 2021-22. Woods and Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris served on the same Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff from 2004-05.

Woods tutored Rams DB Ahkello Witherspoon as 49ers passing game coordinator in 2019.

Saints LB D'Marco Jackson and Rams DB Shaun Jolly were college teammates at Appalachian State.

New Orleans S Tyrann Mathieu, DT Khalen Saunders and Rams WR Demarcus Robinson were teammates with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Saints G/C Max Garcia and Robinson were college teammates at Florida.

New Orleans DE Isaiah Foskey and Los Angeles TE Ben Skowronek and RB Kyren Williams were college teammates at Notre Dame.

New Orleans WR A.T. Perry and Rams NT Kobie Turner were college teammates at Wake Forest.

New Orleans CB Alontae Taylor and Rams OLB Byron Young were college teammates at Tennessee.

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