NFC Showdown: New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams

One of the most highly anticipated games of the NFL season is set to take place on Sunday afternoon in New Orleans. The Saints will host the Los Angeles Rams in a battle of the top two teams in the NFC. This is a matchup of two of the top three scoring teams in the NFL, and there will be plenty of explosive plays in this game.

The Los Angeles Rams bring a perfect 8-0 record into this game, and they sit atop the NFC West division by 3.5 games. The Rams were tested last week by the Green Bay Packers but hung on for a 29-27 victory. The Saints have rattled off six straight victories after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week one of the season. They hold a slim one-game lead in the NFC South Division. The Los Angeles Rams are -1.5 over the Saints on Sunday.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees is having a monster season through the first seven games. Brees has thrown 14 touchdowns to just one interception this season, and is completing over 77 percent of his passes. Michael Thomas leads the team with 58 receptions for 669 yards, but Brees has spread the ball around. The small quarterback has been sacked just 9 times this season, but that could change on Sunday. The offensive line of New Orleans will need to play well to keep Brees healthy in this game.

Defensively, the Saints have given up over 26 points per game this season, but they are getting better. Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport have been the defensive stars for the Saints who will face a huge challenge in this game. The Saints lead the league in rushing defense, which should serve them well against Todd Gurley and the Rams.

Jared Goff and Todd Gurley have both had a tremendous first half of the NFL season to lead the Rams on offense. The Rams are averaging 33 points per game this season, and they are doing so with a balanced attack. Goff has thrown for 2,425 yards this season and 17 touchdowns. Todd Gurley has reached the 11 times on the ground this season and has yet to fumble the ball. Goff and Gurley should have the Rams in playoff contention for years to come.

The Rams are giving up just 19.4 points per game this season, which is the sixth-best scoring average in the league. Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh have put pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season, combining for 13 sacks and three fumble recoveries. The entire Rams defense will look to slow down Brees and the Saints passing attack in this game.

The Rams are dealing with a few injuries at the moment, and that could prove costly in this game. The Saints are almost impossible to beat at home, the New Orleans crowd will be amped up for this game. The Rams are good, but the Saints will snap their undefeated streak in this game. Bet the New Orleans Saints +1.5 to beat the Rams on Sunday.