New Orleans Saints vs L.a. Rams Rams Picks and Predictions December 1st 2024

The Rams are favored on the road in their week 13 matchup against the Saints. This one kicks off at 4:05 ET from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Saints are the underdog with a point spread of +3 and their money line odds are +129. The Rams’ money line odds are -153, and the over/under line is 48.5 points. You can watch this one on FOX.

Los Angeles vs. New Orleans Key Information

• Teams: Rams at Saints
• Where: Caesars Superdome New Orleans
• Date: Sunday, December 1st
• Betting Odds LAR -153 | NO +129 O/U 48.5

The Rams Can Win If…

After defeating the Patriots in week 11, the Rams couldn’t keep the momentum going, losing 37-20 to the Eagles in week 12. This dropped them to 5-6, putting them 3rd in the NFC West with a 2-1 division record. Our power rankings have them 17th, and they have a 14.2% chance of making the playoffs.

Against the spread, the Rams are 4-7, with a scoring margin of -3.9 points per game. Their O/U record is 6-5, with the over hitting in their last two games.

Matthew Stafford has been solid over his last three games, posting a passer rating of 104 in week 12 against the Eagles, with 243 yards and 2 touchdowns. In week 11, he threw for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns, achieving a passer rating of 142. Before that, he had 293 yards in week 10. Puka Nacua has been his top target, with 9 receptions for 117 yards in week 12, following a 123-yard performance in week 11 and 98 yards in week 10. Kyren Williams led the rushing attack with 72 yards on 16 carries in week 12.

Despite these individual performances, the Rams’ offense struggled on third down in week 12, failing to convert any of their 8 attempts. They are currently ranked 31st in the NFL in third-down conversion percentage. Heading into week 13, they are averaging 21.2 points per game, which ranks 19th in the league, and they sit 15th in our offensive power rankings.

Despite giving up 314 rushing yards and 7.0 yards per attempt on the ground, the Rams’ defense held the Eagles to 167 passing yards in their most recent game, which was a 37-20 loss to Philadelphia. The Eagles rushed for 481 total yards and 7.6 yards per attempt through the air. Los Angeles’ defense allowed Philadelphia to convert on 60% of their third down attempts.

Even though the Rams’ defense allowed just 15 completions, they struggled to generate pressure, finishing with only one sack and losing the QB hit and tackles for loss differentials to the Eagles.

• Los Angeles has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 1-2 and an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Across Los Angeles’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 5-5. Against the spread, Los Angeles went 4-6 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Saints Can Win If…

After snapping a five-game losing streak with back-to-back wins, the Saints are now 4-7 on the season. They followed up a narrow 20-17 victory over the Falcons in week 10 with a 35-14 win against the Browns in week 11. New Orleans was the underdog in both games, including a +1 line vs. Cleveland, but they comfortably covered with a 21-point win.

Heading into week 13, the Saints rank 20th in our power rankings and have a 3.7% chance of making the playoffs. Their O/U record stands at 7-4, with their games averaging 47.5 points per game. New Orleans is 5-6 against the spread, with a +0.2 scoring margin.

New Orleans ranks 16th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 13. They are 11th in the NFL in points per game (23.8) and 347.4 passing yards per game. They rank 17th in passing yards per game (216.6) and 18th in passing attempts. On the ground, the Saints are 11th in rushing attempts and 9th in rushing yards per game, averaging 130.7 yards. They rank 14th in third-down conversion percentage and 17th in red zone conversions.

Derek Carr has been playing well, posting a passer rating of 129 in week 11, with 248 yards and 2 touchdowns on 21/27 passing. Marquez Valdes-Scantling led the team with 87 receiving yards, while Taysom Hill had 138 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. The Saints scored 21 points in the 4th quarter against the Browns in week 11.

In their most recent game, the Saints’ defense allowed 377 passing yards to the Browns, despite coming out with a 35-14 victory. The Browns had two passing touchdowns and managed to gain 443 total yards. However, the Saints’ defense was tough on the ground, allowing just 66 rushing yards on 20 attempts.

New Orleans’ defense held Cleveland to a 23.1% conversion rate on third down and recorded three sacks while winning the quarterback hit differential by three. Even though the Browns had some success through the air, the Saints’ defense made it difficult for them to sustain drives.

• The Saints have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. In these games, they have a 2-1 record vs the spread and an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Saints have gone 6-4 straight up. In these contests, the team went just 6-4 against the spread, while going 6-4 on the over-under.

The Lean

For this week 13 matchup between the Rams and Saints, we have the Rams coming out on top by a score of 25-23. Even though the Rams are the favorites at -3, our pick vs. the spread is to take the Saints to cover as home underdogs.

As for the over/under, with the line sitting at 48.5 points, we like the under, with a projected combined score of 48 points.

Saints Aim to Extend Resurgence Under Darren Rizzi

The New Orleans Saints are showing signs of life under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who has guided the team to back-to-back victories since stepping in for Dennis Allen. Following a seven-game losing streak, the Saints have rebounded with renewed focus and energy, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.

Rizzi emphasized the importance of staying grounded amidst the chaos of midseason changes.

“The biggest thing is keeping the focus on the next opponent,” Rizzi said. “That other stuff will take care of itself.”

Coming off a bye week, the Saints sit in third place in the NFC South, two games behind the division-leading Atlanta Falcons and one behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a favorable home schedule, including this matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, the Saints have a chance to gain momentum.

Key Saints Players Returning to Form

Quarterback Derek Carr has regained his footing after an oblique injury sidelined him for three games earlier in the season. Carr’s improved performance has been aided by the return of center Erik McCoy, though McCoy remains questionable due to soreness following recent groin surgery.

Veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has emerged as a vital weapon for Carr, stepping up in the absence of injured starters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Valdes-Scantling has racked up three touchdown catches and averaged 39.2 yards per reception in his last two games.

Rams Struggle to Find Consistency

The Los Angeles Rams, on the other hand, continue to wrestle with inconsistency. After a 37-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, the Rams find themselves tied for last place in the NFC West. However, the division remains within reach, with just one game separating the Rams from the first-place Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.

“It’s still wide open,” Rams safety Kamren Curl said. “We play everybody again, so I feel like in terms of the division race, we’ve still got our fate in our hands.”

The Rams’ defense faltered badly against the Eagles, allowing Saquon Barkley to rush for a franchise-record 255 yards. On offense, quarterback Matthew Stafford faced relentless pressure, being sacked five times.

Head coach Sean McVay described the loss as a humbling experience, and the team will need a stronger showing on both sides of the ball to stay in the playoff hunt.

Injury Updates

Saints

• Out: G Lucas Patrick (calf)
• Limited: TE Foster Moreau (shoulder), RB Jamaal Williams (groin)

Rams

• Out: LT Alaric Jackson (foot)
• Full Practice: RT Rob Havenstein (ankle)
• Limited: TE Tyler Higbee (knee), CB Charles Woods (ankle)

Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who caught a touchdown against the Eagles, is expected to play despite his arrest on suspicion of DUI earlier this week.

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What’s at Stake

This game is critical for both teams as they look to avoid elimination from playoff contention. For the Saints, a win would keep them in striking distance in the NFC South, while the Rams are fighting to climb out of last place in the NFC West.

Prediction: The Saints’ renewed focus and home-field advantage could give them the edge over the inconsistent Rams.

Final Score Prediction: Saints 27, Rams 21