Sunday afternoon in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome could have very well been an NFC Championship preview, and this one went to the experienced quarterback and coach of Drew Brees and Sean Payton. Brees threw for 346 yards and four touchdowns, as the Saints won their seventh straight game after a season-opening loss, 45-35, over the Los Angeles Rams. New Orleans hands the Rams their first loss in nine games this season, as they improved to 3-1 on their home field.
Brees' top target was Michael Thomas, who had 12 catches for a franchise-record 211 yards and a late, clinching 72-yard touchdown pass in the fourth. His receiving yards total surpasses Wes Chandler's previous record of 209 yards that was set in 1979 against the Atlanta Falcons. His late touchdown was followed by an 2003-style flip-phone celebration, which was found planted underneath the goal post and resulted in a flag. That came with about four minutes to play, as the celebration was in honor of Joe Horn, who did the same 15 years ago. The Saints just barely out-gained the Rams, 487-483, while enjoying a wide margin in first downs at 31-23.
A hot first half gave the Saints a 35-14 lead, which was 35-17 by halftime, but the Rams dominated the third quarter coming out of the locker room to cut in to that deficit. Los Angeles would come back to tie the game by the beginning of the fourth quarter on a Cooper Kupp touchdown catch, as the receiver was playing for the first time in three games.
The Rams were attempting another late run to make things even more interesting late, but Brandin Cooks could not bring down the catch on fourth down. The former Saints receiver, who has been traded twice since wearing the black and gold, had six catches for 114 yards and a touchdown against his former team. Todd Gurley scored a touchdown for a 12th straight game, which is a franchise record, while Jarred Goff threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.
Alvin Kamara found the end zone three times, twice on the ground, and once on a 16-yard catch, as his Saints move on to a tough road matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, the Rams return home for a division clash with the .500 Seattle Seahawks.
Brees' top target was Michael Thomas, who had 12 catches for a franchise-record 211 yards and a late, clinching 72-yard touchdown pass in the fourth. His receiving yards total surpasses Wes Chandler's previous record of 209 yards that was set in 1979 against the Atlanta Falcons. His late touchdown was followed by an 2003-style flip-phone celebration, which was found planted underneath the goal post and resulted in a flag. That came with about four minutes to play, as the celebration was in honor of Joe Horn, who did the same 15 years ago. The Saints just barely out-gained the Rams, 487-483, while enjoying a wide margin in first downs at 31-23.
A hot first half gave the Saints a 35-14 lead, which was 35-17 by halftime, but the Rams dominated the third quarter coming out of the locker room to cut in to that deficit. Los Angeles would come back to tie the game by the beginning of the fourth quarter on a Cooper Kupp touchdown catch, as the receiver was playing for the first time in three games.
The Rams were attempting another late run to make things even more interesting late, but Brandin Cooks could not bring down the catch on fourth down. The former Saints receiver, who has been traded twice since wearing the black and gold, had six catches for 114 yards and a touchdown against his former team. Todd Gurley scored a touchdown for a 12th straight game, which is a franchise record, while Jarred Goff threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.
Alvin Kamara found the end zone three times, twice on the ground, and once on a 16-yard catch, as his Saints move on to a tough road matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, the Rams return home for a division clash with the .500 Seattle Seahawks.
