We’re in for a big one on Thursday night — maybe the biggest game of the year for the New Orleans Saints. A win over the Los Angeles Rams wouldn’t just help open a second path to a playoff berth for the Saints, meaning they could reach the postseason without an NFC South title; it would also tip the scales back in their favor in the all-time record against one of their oldest rivals.
The Rams may have beaten the Saints often in their early years as neighbors in the old NFC West, but New Orleans evened the score by winning 16 of their 22 matchups from 1985 to 1995, including an undefeated stretch of seven games from Dec. 9, 1990 to Oct. 3, 1993. Now, Los Angeles maintains a lead of 43-35 in the all-time record between these two teams.
Can the Saints notch another win after beating the Rams 27-20 in New Orleans last season? They have their work cut out for them against a red-hot L.A. squad that has won four of its last five games, having taken the 11-3 Baltimore Ravens to overtime in a last-second loss.
We’re going to learn a lot about the Saints in this game. If Dennis Allen’s team can pull off the upset and stay alive in the playoffs race, it will validate the swagger he’s shown as of late after knocking out the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. If they fall short and regress after making some big strides, well: the criticism Allen has drawn from all corners in New Orleans is only going to return with vengeance.
