Saints vs. Rams: Sean Payton, New Orleans still miffed and not afraid to talk about missed pass interference call
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/saints-vs-rams-sean-payton-new-orleans-still-miffed-and-not-afraid-to-talk-about-missed-pass-interference-call/

Saints vs. Rams – Game Summary – September 15, 2019 – ESPN
https://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401128122

Colin Cowherd Says The LA Rams Are Better Than The New Orleans Saints
https://foxsportsradio.iheart.com/content/2019-09-12-colin-cowherd-says-the-la-rams-are-better-than-the-new-orleans-saints/

Rams vs. New Orleans Saints: Who has the edge?

KEVIN MODESTI

link: https://www.dailynews.com/2019/09/13/rams-vs-new-orleans-saints-who-has-the-edge-2/

Line: Rams by 2

RAMS OFFENSE vs. SAINTS DEFENSE
The Rams passing attack has to be more explosive than it was against the Carolina Panthers (now 0-2); this seems likely with quarterback Jared Goff having that first game action in seven months under his belt. The offense also has a chance to be more potent than it was in the 26-23 overtime win at New Orleans in the NFC championship game, since wide receiver Cooper Kupp is back from injury and running back Todd Gurley is practically certain to top his 10 yards on 4 carries that day. But it will take creativity by Rams head coach Sean McVay to plot ways past a strong Saints secondary, and sharp work by the Rams offensive line against a New Orleans defense that sacked Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson six times in Week 1. EDGE: Rams

SAINTS OFFENSE vs. RAMS DEFENSE
Little is new about the Saints offense that led the NFC in touchdowns in 2018. It’s still quarterback Drew Brees, the most prolific passer in NFL history; wide receiver Michael Thomas (Taft High of Woodland Hills), the league leader in receptions in 2018, and dual-threat back Alvin Kamara, all aided by a young and tough offensive line. One variable: Thomas caught 12 passes for 211 yards against cornerback Marcus Peters in the Saints’ regular-season victory over the Rams last year, but 4 for 36 yards with defensive back Aqib Talib healthy for the Rams’ playoff win. Another: The Saints averaged 38 points last season when Brees was sacked zero times or once, 23.1 when it was two times or more. The L.A. line must be on its game, but defensive end Michael Brockers (shoulder) missed two practice days before returning to the field Friday. EDGE: Saints

SPECIAL TEAMS
These teams should be confident about their kicking games and their ability to win a close one. The Rams and Saints remember Greg Zuerlein’s dramatic field goals to tie and win the NFC title game. The Saints are coming off Will Lutz’s 58-yard game-winner against Houston. Zuerlein and Lutz each made three of four field goals in Week 1. New Orleans’ Thomas Morstead and L.A.’s Johnny Hecker were sixth and seventh in punting average in 2018. Rookie Deonte Harris replaces Kamara and Taysom Hill as the Saints’ punt and kick returner. EDGE: Rams

COACHING
McVay and Saints head coach Sean Payton and their staffs match wits for the fourth time in 22 months. It would be interesting to know – if we ever know what’s said in the locker rooms – how they try to manage the players’ unique emotions in what has become the Rams’ main out-of-division rivalry. Payton would have the advantage if we went by experience (13-plus years in charge to McVay’s two-plus) and accomplishment (the 2009 Super Bowl victory). But McVay has never been outclassed by opponents like this; his Rams are 7-5 against Super Bowl-winning head coaches. EDGE: Rams

INTANGIBLES
The Rams tried to talk down the “revenge factor” in this rematch of the NFC championship game, and admitted they got help from a bad call. This probably hasn’t succeeded in blunting the Saints’ motivational edge. History suggests a victimized team does have an advantage in the next meeting. It could be worse for the Rams only if the game were at the Superdome in front of angry New Orleans fans. EDGE: Saints

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MATCHUP TO WATCH
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald vs. Saints left guard Andrus Peat (and whoever else New Orleans throws at him). Donald, the NFL leader in sacks (20.5) and tackles for loss (25) in 2018, had zero sacks and three TFL in the two games against the Saints. He sounded frustrated after having zero sacks and zero TFL in the Rams’ win at Carolina last week. But that was the result of double-team blocking, and the Rams didn’t mind that this opened lanes for other defenders. The Saints allowed one sack of Brees against Houston, after allowing the second-fewest sacks in each of the past two years.

PREDICTION: SAINTS 26, RAMS 24
If you marked this game with a W when the schedule came out, you must expect the Rams to go undefeated at home. On paper, the Saints are the toughest foe of the regular season. (Odds watch: The Rams, Saints and Philadelphia Eagles are 9-2 co-favorites for the NFC title, says VegasInsider.com.) For its best chance, L.A. will have to hold down the New Orleans offense for a second consecutive meeting. That would be a rare feat.

Random Ramsdom, 9/14: All systems go for Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 vs. Saints https://t.co/AIqRIctgz4

— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) September 14, 2019

Rams Week 2 preview: 5 questions with Saints Wire https://t.co/btm8Fcpq1u

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) September 14, 2019

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams odds, picks and best bets https://t.co/o4o06PGD5Y

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) September 13, 2019

TurfShowTimes@TurfShowTimes
Week 2 officiating video sent out by the league includes a block from #LARams LB Travin Howard that was a legal blindside block because he used his butt to block instead of his head, shoulder or arm.

Good use of the booty, Trav.

==

Patriots a clear number 1 after that performance against Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/N5u1TcNL7F

— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) September 13, 2019

trey wingo@wingoz
Since the current playoff began in 1990… The Carolina Panthers are just the 18th team to start the season 0-2 with both losses coming at home.

Jason Cole@JasonCole62
To those who think there’s no difference between paying a RT or a LT, ask a QB that question. Brian Griese made it clear Monday night that he’d much rather have and LT to protect his blindside. Last night, lack of a good LT destroyed Cam Newton’s confidence.

Geoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
Feels like we are headed to another Andrew Luck situation with Cam. Cam is just so beat up. Doesn’t look like he’s enjoying himself anymore. And if the Panthers don’t win this season, Tepper will clean house. Could make the decision easier for him

Joe Banner@JoeBanner13
Every year we see QB’s playing behind bad Olines getting criticized. It is very rare for even great QB’s to play well behind a bad line, especially if you are young. Not appreciated enough in the analysis

Seth Galina@SethGalina
Doing some quick math during this Bucs-Panthers shit show and if I’m correct the Saints can clinch the NFC South this Sunday already

Rams Wire@TheRamsWire
Rams injury report: Brockers misses practice, Matthews returns

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
Rams RB Todd Gurley on last season’s NFC championship game: “I’m not going to have a good game every game. I’ve had 50-plus good games, but I’m pretty sure I’ve had five or six bad games. That’s just football.”

On this day 20 years ago, an undrafted QB named @kurt13warner made his 1st career start for the @RamsNFL.

He threw for 309 yards & 3 TDs in a 27-10 win over the Ravens… And The Greatest Show On Turf was born 🙌 (Sept. 12, 1999) pic.twitter.com/TGXn3BChU1

— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) September 12, 2019

Evan Silva@evansilva
Cosell drills home the evidence-proven fact that run-game effectiveness has no impact on how linebackers react. “They do what they’re taught.” And that’s playing the run when they see a handoff or when the OL technique shows run.

Cooper Kupp was out here manhandling defensive linemen on Sunday 😤😤 @CooperKupp

(h/t @betz) pic.twitter.com/X2DWOKoPH9

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 11, 2019

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Fun fact: Since 2017, Cory Littleton has 19 PBU. That’s tied for the most of any linebacker

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
#Rams coach Sean McVay on last year’s non PI call against #Saints: “Nobody’s going to sit here and say that wasn’t pass interference.”

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Rams injury report for Wednesday: DE Michael Brockers, (Shoulder) DNP; OLB Clay Matthews (Back), DNP; S Eric Weddle (Concussion) limited.

Mike Triplett@MikeTriplett
Tremendous praise for Rams DT Aaron Donald from Drew Brees. “I don’t even have names for all the moves he can do to get to the quarterback. You cannot block him with one guy. … He’s such an impact player, he can change a game. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anybody like him.”

==

breida running outside zone.
gurley running wide zone.
different plays, different runners pic.twitter.com/WuIvRPDH9X

— betz (@alltwentytwo) September 11, 2019

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Sean McVay on Eric Weddle: “I anticipate him playing”

Eric Weddle@weddlesbeard
Ready to rock!!!!!

from Rams Q&A: Vinny Bonsignore
https://theathletic.com/1197275/2019/09/09/live-qa-with-rams-writer-vinny-bonsignore-on-tuesday-from-1-to-2-p-m-pt-2/

They took a couple shots downfield… but I think by and large the plan against that defensive look was to work underneath a little more. I think the defense played a role, I think Sean McVay might have been thinking about his newish offensive line and trying to work faster-developing plays and I also think it’s a by-product of some different concepts He’s come up with to deal with defenses intent on limiting the longer passes the Rams have hurt opponents with. And I think long run, mastering some of those shorter concepts will pay off.

[Goff] played poorly, I thought. Definitely a low C. But I also think it was a matter of inches, not feet, so maybe there was an adjustment to real game speed again. I do not think it’s time to worry though

The guys I talked to were pumped about digging into the film and figuring things out – good and bad. Remember, it’s been seven months since they did that.

From everything I’ve heard [Gurley’s] all in. And I wouldn’t get too caught up in the actual numbers as sometimes the flow of the game will dictate the final totals. For instance, if he’s the back that’s up on a particular drive, and the drive goes long and he gets more carries during it as a result, that will affect his final totals. From what I gathered after Sunday, there will be drives when it’s his turn and designated drives in which it’s Malcolm’s turn.