Let’s get one thing straight — aside from another missed field goal and a botched extra point, the Los Angeles Rams played another nearly flawless, systematic masterpiece this past weekend. What Sean McVay’s squad did against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 was textbook Rams football: efficient, explosive, composed, and relentlessly balanced. They spread the ball around to what looked like 13 different players (a stat that, if officially tracked, would be a reflection of just how deep and versatile this offense truly is).
The result? A 34–10 dismantling of the Saints that was never really in doubt. It was another week of proof that this Rams team — if not for a few self-inflicted hiccups — should be sitting undefeated atop the entire NFL. Plus, they should have won 45–3 yesterday — but two missed kicks cost them points, and they should have had one more touchdown, while the Saints never should have scored one at all.
A Perfect Game Plan, Executed to Perfection
Matthew Stafford was once again the maestro. The Rams’ veteran quarterback threw for 281 yards and four touchdowns, carving up a Saints defense that tried — and failed — to pressure him into mistakes. Instead, Stafford turned every blitz into an opportunity. When the Saints sent extra rushers, he read it instantly, dissected their coverage, and made them pay.
Stafford’s performance was a masterclass in how to beat the blitz. His elite arm talent, uncanny ability to throw off-platform, and lightning-quick release left the Saints’ defense gasping for air. Stafford’s toughness in the pocket — standing tall and delivering strikes even as pressure closed in — continues to be one of the defining traits of his career.
And this isn’t luck or improvisation. It’s a product of preparation, IQ, and experience. Stafford’s pre-snap recognition allowed him to spot blitzes before they came, adjust protections, and exploit mismatches. Post-snap, his processing was lightning-fast. That’s the beauty of having a 16-year veteran who’s seen every defensive look imaginable.
McVay’s Offense Is a Machine
McVay deserves credit, too. The Rams’ offensive design was brilliant from the first drive. Against New Orleans, they alternated seamlessly between short passes, deep shots, and power runs up the middle. The playbook was wide open.
- Davante Adams was clinical in the short game, scoring twice on sub-five-yard routes and bullying defensive backs who couldn’t tackle him in space.
- Puka Nacua, returning from an ankle injury, looked electric again — seven receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown before exiting with what’s being called a minor rib issue.
- Tight end Terrance Ferguson made the most of his chances, turning three targets into 54 yards and exposing linebackers who had no chance of keeping up.
When the Saints sent extra rushers, Stafford attacked the soft zones behind them — especially to Adams and Nacua. The offensive line held up admirably, allowing just minimal pressure despite heavy blitzing.
This was a game that showcased total offensive control. The Rams dictated tempo, dominated time of possession (their longest of the season), and ground down the Saints’ defense until it broke.
The Ground Game: Thunder and Lightning
It wasn’t just Stafford and the receivers. The Rams’ ground game was as good as it’s been all year. Kyren Williams finished with over 100 yards, and while he fumbled once (a mistake he cannot repeat if the Rams want to go deep in January), his intensity and field vision continue to drive this offense.
But the story of the night might just be Blake Corum. Watching him dart through the line, bounce off tackles, and make defenders miss, I found myself saying something I never thought I would: he looks like Gale Sayers. And I’ve only ever seen Sayers in highlight reels and the film Brian’s Song. Corum’s burst, his balance, his ability to stop and start with no loss of acceleration — it’s special. He brings a spark that perfectly complements Williams’ bruising style.
Karty the Kicker: A Puzzle Wrapped in a Cannon
Now, let’s talk about the one issue that continues to haunt this team — the kicking game. Tanner Karty, for all intents and purposes, is an elite kicker. He has a cannon for a leg and can drill a 60-yarder like it’s nothing. But right now, he’s… off. His mechanics are there, but something about his accuracy has gone sideways. One extra point went wide. A field goal missed by miles.
Ironically, Karty is so good that these mistakes are baffling. He could be one of the best kickers in the league if he simply connects the dots. But I’m not giving up on him — far from it. I believe in his leg and his mentality. Once he straightens it out, the Rams’ only real weakness disappears.
Defense: Relentless and Ruthless
Let’s not overlook the defense. Chris Shula’ unit was flat-out dominant. The Rams held the Saints to just 10 points, limiting Alvin Kamara to 32 rushing yards and frustrating rookie quarterback Tyler Shough all game long. They forced turnovers, controlled the line of scrimmage, and made key third-down stops that sucked the life out of New Orleans’ offense.
Rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. grabbed his first interception as a Ram, part of a stretch where the defense completely locked down the Saints. Every level of the defense — from the pass rush to the secondary — played disciplined, fast, and physical football.
Chris Shula is entering his ninth season with the Los Angeles Rams and his second as defensive coordinator.
In his first year leading the defense, Shula guided a unit that ranked tied for fifth in red zone efficiency (50%) and sixth in goal-to-go efficiency (65.5%). Against the run, the defense allowed the 10th-fewest rushing touchdowns (13), showcasing strong gap discipline and tackling. The pass rush was equally impressive, finishing sixth in hurries (225), 10th in pressure rate (35.7%), and 13th in total pressures (218).
In the secondary, Shula’s defense tied for 12th-most interceptions (13) while allowing the 12th-fewest completions (354), combining ball-hawking play with consistent coverage to keep opposing offenses in check.
Injury Updates and What’s Next
McVay confirmed that Puka Nacua will undergo precautionary scans for his rib injury, but the team is optimistic he’ll be available this week. The Rams’ only real roster question heading into the trade deadline is whether to make another move — but McVay said a deal is “less likely.” They already landed cornerback Roger McCreary from Tennessee last week, bolstering the secondary.
Next up: the San Francisco 49ers. The rematch. The measuring stick. The most important game of the season.
49ers Week: Time to Settle It
Let’s not sugarcoat it — the first matchup against the 49ers was a letdown. We were playing on short rest after that gut-wrenching Eagles game, and it showed. The energy wasn’t there. The execution slipped. We still should have won that game, even against their backups, if not for the turnovers.
This time, there are no excuses. This game will define the NFC West. The Rams must bring the same methodical precision they showed against the Saints, but with more urgency. The 49ers are vulnerable, and if the Rams dominate the way they have every week outside of that one bad half in Philly, they’ll reassert themselves as the class of the division — and maybe the entire NFL.
Morning Joe may refuse to put the Rams in their “Top 5 Power Rankings,” but Pablo Torre gets it. He’s watching the film. He knows. On paper, the Rams might be the third-best team in football right now — but in reality, they’ve been playing like the best team in the league.
A Legacy Beyond the Field
Before we wrap up, I want to mention something close to my heart — my personal collection of Rams history. I’ve been following this team for a lifetime, and I’ve built what might be the most extensive collection of signed and autographed Los Angeles Rams memorabilia in the world, spanning 63 years of teams — nearly three-quarters of the franchise’s 88-year existence since its founding in 1937.
From vintage footballs signed by legends to modern-day collectibles, it’s a living tribute to the Rams’ journey — from Cleveland to Los Angeles to St. Louis and back home again.
You can see the full collection here: https://donlichterman.com/product-category/los-angeles-rams/
Believe the Hype
This is a Rams team built to win now — with a quarterback who’s as sharp as ever, a coaching staff in sync, a defense that attacks, and an offense that spreads the ball like a symphony. The record says 6–2. The play says undefeated.
The rest of the league may not be paying attention yet. But anyone who’s been watching knows the truth:
The Rams are for real.
And the NFC better get ready, because this team is On The Rampage.