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The race for supremacy in the NFC is launched. Just when it seemed like the Rams were the class of the conference, the saints arrived to spoil their Hollywood season. Just as it looked like the Rams controlled the NFC side of the playoffs, the Saints indicated that they were ready to take the throne.
Sunday, the Saints ended the undefeated Rams season with a 45-35 win, improved their own record to 7-1, maintained their slim lead over the NFC South Panthers and deserved what could be a key to face. the breaking of equality in the battle for the first head of the conference. To get to this point, the Saints fought with the Rams now 8-1, absorbed all the blows inflicted on them and realized the games that mattered in critical time.
The game is at the height of what is called the hype: two explosive mistakes, mostly unstoppable, taking turns to do what they do best. They combined for 970 yards with an almost equal split (four yards between the two teams) and three punts. At the end – after the teams exchanged scores in the beginning, after the Saints took the advantage with 21 unanswered in the second quarter, after the Rams had scored 21 unanswered to tie the game in the second half – The match was won by Drew Brees and Michael Thomas, who traded for a 72-yard touchdown that sliced the Rams' head and hopes.
At first, it was a question of answering each other to score points. The Saints began with a 10-game, 75-yard run that ended with a touchdown by Alvin Kamara. The Rams responded with a six-game, 71-yard training that ended with a touchdown by Todd Gurley. The Saints responded with another 75-yard mark, but this only required eight games. Again, it was Kamara for the touched. The Rams then scored a touchdown, this one via Jared Goff and Brandin Cooks.
So, to review, the first four records all went for touchdowns. The game started as planned.
The game began to switch to the second quarter. First, the Rams made a field goal instead of a scythe that did not win the first goal. Later in the quarter, after the Saints had taken a 21-14 lead, Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein scored a 51-yard wide shot, allowing the Saints to benefit from an excellent position. on the field and have a chance to bring their lead to two goals before halftime. Indeed, they scored another touchdown with just over a minute to play in the half. The Rams had to answer before half-time. Instead, Goff made a choice to Alex Anzalone. The Saints turned this turnover into seven additional points. And it's like that they've won a three-point lead at half-time.
It's not that the Rams played badly in the first half. At half-time, the Rams averaged more yards per game (9.0 vs. 7.6) over the Saints. They just made a few critical mistakes and the Saints capitalized on each of them – the way big teams are supposed to do it.
But the Rams are back, as the big teams are supposed to do. After recovering from a throw-in at the end of the first half, they scored a touchdown to start the third quarter and – wait for it – forced their first kick of the match in the first set of Saints of the third quarter before giving another shot. objective in the field. As the fourth quarter approaches, the Saints are led by only eight. The Rams then tied the game in the fourth quarter after forcing another stop and then going into a six-game, 83-yard campaign that had eight points.
So, to review, the match was tied at 10 minutes from the end, after both teams scored 21 points.
After reaching a balance, the saints took over. First, Wil Lutz scored a 54-yard goal to take a 38-35 lead. And then, after forcing a rare three-man shot, the Saints slipped the game with that touchdown Brees-Thomas.
As a result, the saints may well be the new favorites of the NFC. Both teams are so stacked that it may be necessary to give the advantage to the team that will stay home in January. Sunday, the Saints took the lead in this race, but hardly.
In addition, the saints drew Brees.
Brees strengthens the MVP file
The Saints did not impose themselves as the team to beat in the NFC. Brees also emerged as the most viable candidate for the MVP, Unnamed Patrick Mahomes.
Brees, again, was beautiful. In all, he completed 25 of his 36 passes for 346 yards (9.6 yards per attempt), four touchdowns, no choice and a 137.0 passer rating. He also ran for 16 yards in four races, looking nothing like a 39-year-old veteran aged 18.
Even if the Saints had lost that match, they might have resisted a possible rematch, because they had the best of two quarters. This is not a shot at Goff, who played brilliantly in a close defeat. It's just that Goff is not Brees, who remains the most accurate quarter of all time, even if he passes deep passes.
After eight games, Brees completes 76% of his passes. He is also about to throw 4,672 yards, 36 touchdowns and two interceptions. Without the incredible rise of Mahomes, Brees would be the favorite of the MVP – a reward he has never won in his Hall of Fame career. For the moment, he will have to settle for second place, but with half a season to play, Brees has ample time to defeat Mahomes at the top of the standings.
Benjamin Button
It helps when your tight end, 37 years old, manages to catch the helmet at the bottom of the field.
Benjamin Watson, who turns 38 next month, had 62 yards and a touchdown against the Rams. And he did it with style. Check out this capture, which set up a score.
And then there was his 13-yard touchdown at the end of the first half.
The age combined on this touch? 76.
Goff shining apart from an error
Goff continues to amaze in the middle of his third season. He made a costly mistake in the first half, but played another brilliant match. He finished 28 of 40 out of 39 for 391 yards (9.8 yards per attempt), three touchdowns, one choice and a passer rating of 115.7.
But about this interception – it proved to be expensive. By the end of the second quarter, while the Rams had lost 14 points, Goff gave the Saints the opportunity to take a 21-point lead with his sixth interception of the season.
Besides this mistake, Goff was almost perfect. He fed both Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, who combined for 11 receptions and 185 yards.
Even more impressive, when the Rams were 21 points behind, he brought them back.
Immediately after being selected at the end of the first half, he responded by leading them into the penalty area at half-time. In the fourth quarter, when the Rams were led by eight, he scored eight points by hitting Cooper Kupp for a 41-yard touchdown and Gerald Everett for converting two points.
Despite Sunday's loss, the Rams do not have to worry about their quarterback or their attack.
Kamara on-product Gurley
Upon entering the game, Kamara and Gurley combined for 24 touchdowns in the scrum. At the end of the game, this total was 28 people. The two explosive defenders inflicted most of the damage in the first half.
Kamara scored a hat trick in the first period.
He also managed to overcome this obstacle after the break:
Kamara finished with 116 yards and three touchdowns on 23 hits.
Gurley, meanwhile, experienced a drop in play meeting his criteria largely because the Rams were forced to clear their way out of a 21-point hole. However, he scored 79 yards and one touchdown on 19 hits.
Together, the two best defensemen in football probably scored 195 yards and four touchdowns. But if you are looking for a winner in the fight, that is Kamara, who has the added benefit of playing for the team that has led most of the match. The Rams have never held their heads.
Michael Thomas, catcher among the top five
Thomas is one of the best receivers of the game. So it should not be surprising to learn that he has amassed 211 yards in 12 receptions against a Rams susceptible high school. What might surprise is to see how he celebrated his decisive touch.
You can not say that he was not prepared.
Unsurprisingly, Thomas's celebration was worth a 15-yard penalty. Since the game was almost finished, it did not matter.
In addition, it was cool.
Rams' fake fails after controversy
The Rams forced the first stop of the match when they generated a turn-over in the second quarter, but they failed to turn the takeaway into points, giving up a goal for an impending false to to win. The Rams challenged the place, but the cabin did not see enough to reverse the call.
You are the judge:
It seemed that Johnny Hekker had taken the necessary distance with this final extension, but since it was marked at the beginning, it was not surprising to see the cabin keep the call as is. One-off challenges are always difficult to win.
The decision to act for the wrong was expensive. The Saints ended up scoring a touchdown to restart their 21-0 run in the second quarter.
And after?
After the most difficult game of their season, the Saints focus their attention on a difficult but more manageable game. Over the next three weeks, they will face the Bengals, Eagles and Falcons. It should be noted that two of their last three games will be played against the 6-2 Panthers. These games could determine the fate of the division.
As for the Rams, they will have the Seahawks and Chiefs before their leave of week 12. This match against the Chiefs, to be held in Mexico, could be a taste of the Super Bowl.
You can relive the game with our live blog below.
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