Behind a deafening crowd, the New Orleans Saints seized a 13-10 halftime lead over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The Saints took the opening possession into the red zone before settling for a 37-yard Wil Lutz field goal. Saints linebacker Demario Davis intercepted Rams quarterback Jared Goff on the next possession and the Saints turned that into a 29-yard Lutz field goal. New Orleans scored its touchdown on a 5-yard pass from Drew Brees to reserve tight end Garrett Griffin. It was the first touchdown of Griffin's career.
The Rams got on the scoreboard with a 36-yard Greg Zuerlein field with 9:45 left in the second quarter and added a 6-yard touchdown run by Todd Gurley with 23 seconds left in the half. The Saints kept Los Angeles' offense in check for the first quarter as it finished the period with just 15 yards. Goff and company was more effective in the second quarter although the quarterback and his offensive mates definitely struggled dealing with the overwhelming noise coming from Saints fans.
The Saints lost tight end Josh Hill to a concussion and he will not play in the second half.
Key Saints stat leaders
Drew Brees, 14 of 20 for 132 yards with one TD
Mark Ingram, three carries for eight yards
Alvin Kamara, six catches for 54 yards
Michael Thomas, three catches for 27 yards
