Saints Slam the Rams: The Good, Bad, and FANTASTIC
By Bob Rose
Nov 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Rams 49-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
THE GOOD: THE SAINTS DEFENSE HAS ANOTHER GOOD GAME — AND PITCHES A SHUT-OUT IN THE 2ND HALF
Dennis Allen’s defense again showed that they just might be able to support the Saints Super Bowl-caliber offense after all.
As highlighted all week long, this was not exactly a top echelon offense they were facing from Los Angeles. However, recent seasons versions of the Saints defense would have still given up tons of points, and made a rookie quarterback look like a Hall of Famer.
Today’s Saints defense caused 3 sacks, forced 2 turnovers, held a fine running back in Todd Gurley to less than 4 yards per rush and surrendered only 247 net yards.
Cam Jordan, Sheldon Rankins, Tyeler Davison and Dannell Ellerbe were again forces to be reckoned with. Two Ram touchdown drives were on the first of the game and the last of the half (more on that in a moment) accounted for 154 of their 247 yards and 7 of their 13 total first downs.
The Rams offense simply had no chance to keep pace with the scoring of Sean Payton’s offense with this defensive effort.
That Ram TD drive at the end of the half leads us right into our BAD for the week….