Only for Guild Members » Series.Another interesting angle to obser

The gumbo the New Orleans Saints are cooking up is flavored with lots of passes from Drew Brees to Michael Thomas Brian Allen Jersey , plenty of runs by Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, and enough dashes of defense to negate the high-powered offense of the Los Angeles Rams.Will that be the proper recipe?Here’s how they match up:WHEN LOS ANGELES HAS THE BALLBalance is the keyword to the Rams’ offense, starting with the NFL’s most versatile running back, All-Pro Todd Gurley (30). Gurley not only led the NFL with 21 TDs, he ranked fourth with 1,831 yards from scrimmage despite being slowed in December. He can do the dirty work inside and also break long gainers. And when he’s struggled with knee issues recently, late-season pickup C.J. Anderson (35) has been masterful.To combat the ground game, the Saints could be at a disadvantage after losing DT Sheldon Rankins to a torn Achilles tendon last week. They’ll require steady production from their best linebacker, Demario Davis (56) who led the Saints with 110 tackles this season, and strong play from the D-line. But the Rams bring a staunch blocking unit featuring LT Andrew Whitworth (77), LG Rodger Saffold (76) and RT Rob Havenstein (79).Should LA control the trenches, it will open up what already is a highly creative passing repertoire for Jared Goff (16) and wideouts Robert Woods (17), Brandin Cooks (12) and rapidly developing Josh Reynolds (83). All of them can find the end zone, with Cooks being the main deep threat. A former Saint Joseph Noteboom Jersey , he’ll likely match up with CB Marshon Lattimore (23), who had two interceptions against Philadelphia.Teams can throw deep on New Orleans, and the Rams will try. Goff, though, will need protection from pass rushers Cam Jordan (93), Marcus Davenport (91) and the always-present Davis. And Goff must not let the noise factor affect him.WHEN NEW ORLEANS HAS THE BALLJust like LA, New Orleans will try nearly anything on offense. Fourth-down plays, a form of the wildcat with backup QB/special teamer Taysom Hill, and old-fashioned grinding will be in play.Brees (9) has had one of the best seasons of his Hall of Fame-caliber career, particularly with his efficiency. Last week, though, it was his leadership that stood out as the Saints fell into a 14-0 hole and looked amateurish before rallying.Knowing New Orleans will need lots of points in this one, Brees could target All-Pro WR Michael Thomas (13) as often as he did against Philly, which was 16 times. Thomas caught 12 and had a TD. He will be the problem of standout CBs Aqib Talib (21) and Marcus Peters (22) Jack Youngblood Jersey , both of them willing to gamble in coverage.The Saints don’t have another outstanding wideout or tight end, but RB Kamara (41) almost equals Gurley for all the things he can do — and he’s healthier. Kamara and Ingram (22) will be challenged by a defense that shut down NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys and features the only unanimous All-Pro, DT Aaron Donald (99). Dealing with Donald and the other solid defensive linemen — Ndamukong Suh (93) and Michael Brockers (90) — will be a Saints unit led by LT Terron Armstead (71) and LG Andrus Peat (74), who have been bothered by chest and hand injuries, respectively, and RT Ryan Ramczyk (71). Giving Brees time and Kamara/Ingram holes could be decisive.SPECIAL TEAMSAn indoor game makes for stronger kicking and, often, less impact by placekickers and punters.LA PK Greg Zuerlein (4) and P Johnny Hekker (6) might have the most powerful legs in the league, and Zuerlein is a field-goal threat from 60 yards and in. Hekker probably could put a punt off the Superdome roof.Although Wil Lutz (3) missed a 52-yard FG attempt that kept the Eagles close last week, he’s reliable and, for someone in his third season, has hit a bunch of pressure kicks. Thomas Morstead (6) is in his 10th season with New Orleans, longer than anyone except Brees.The Rams aren’t exceptional on returns, but they aren’t inept Torry Holt Jersey , either. JoJo Natson (19) has handled most of the punt runbacks, while Blake Countess (24) is the kick returner.New Orleans, like the Rams, has not returned a kick for a score. Tommylee Lewis (11) has become the main guy.COACHINGSean vs. Sean. Two entirely different Seans in terms of experience.New Orleans’ Payton is in his 12th season in charge; he missed 2012 while suspended in the Saints’ bounties scandal. His offensive schemes fit perfectly with Brees’ skillset, and he won’t be overwhelmed by the surroundings, having won the 2009 championship. Payton will gamble, including fake punts with his version of a Swiss Army knife, third-string QB Taysom Hill (7).LA’s McVay is the hot commodity on the pro football market. Every team looking for a new head coach has at least investigated people who’ve worked with McVay, who will be 33 next Thursday. He’s innovative, aggressive and, in some ways, one of the guys.Because both Seans are willing to go for it, this should be a fun battle of wits.INTANGIBLESThe Rams have never won a Super Bowl while representing Los Angeles; they got one in 2000 as St. Louis’ team — that Super Bowl also was in Atlanta. Wade Phillips, while never one of the NFL’s great coaches Orlando Pace Jersey , is one of the best defensive coordinators ever. He’s eager to prove so again in facing such a productive attack.Brees is closer to the end of his career than perhaps anyone in this game, though he’s given no indication he is about to retire. Winning a second Super Bowl would cement his place among the sport’s top quarterbacks. See you in England!"WhiteSections 2019 offseason2019 free agency2019 NFL DraftFull ArchiveLibrary 2019 NFL calendar2019 Rams regular season sched2019 Rams preseason schedMasthead Community Guidelines NFL Odds StubHub ✕2019 Los Angeles Rams Regular SeasonLos Angeles Rams to face Cincinnati Bengals on October 27th in LondonNew,4commentsSee you in England!CDTShareTweetShareShareLos Angeles Rams to face Cincinnati Bengals on October 27th in LondonKirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsAs we near the release of the NFL schedule tonight, the Los Angeles Rams have announced they’ll be playing against the Cincinnati Bengals in London, England, on October 27th:The bout between the Rams and Bengals is a week eight matchup to be played on Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. PT. This is the fourth time the Rams will have played in their international England series. Their record all time in these games is 1-2, though they haven’t played in Wembley stadium since a bad loss against the New England Patriots in 2012. The Rams are the host (Rams home game) due to an NFL rule in which teams playing in a temporary stadium are forced to play in a game abroad in the International Series.Another interesting angle to observe will be Head Coach Sean McVay facing off against his former QB Coach/Assistant Wide Receivers Coach and newly appointed Head Coach for the Bengals, Zac Taylor. Taylor will face-off against his former boss so-to-speak, making it a fun environment for both guys to compete and duel head-to-head.The Rams and Bengals do not face each other often, making this game unique for both sides. It’s also a chance for LT Andrew Whitworth to go against his former team.