After the benching of Spencer Rattler against the Bucs, Tyler Shough came in and completed 17 of 30 passes for for 128 yards and an interception.

The Los Angeles Rams could be facing a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start this Sunday. Tyler Shough may get the call for the New Orleans Saints after replacing Spencer Rattler on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving the coaching staff a fresh look under center for an offense that has sputtered all year. For the Rams, preparing for a first-time starter brings a unique challenge: rookie tendencies are unpredictable, and Shough’s style could create both opportunities and risks for the defense.

The Saints haven’t determined who will start at QB against the Rams but Shough looked capable of operating the offense in his debut and Rattler has been inefficient this season.

Shough, a rookie with minimal NFL experience, could face the task of running the Saints’ offense against a Rams team that’s known for its pressure and disciplined schemes, showing itself as one of the best defenses in the league so far this season. While he has gotten reps in in practice, Sunday will be the real test of Shough’s ability to read coverages, handle blitzes, and make quick decisions under pressure. The Saints could counf on Shough to provide stability and a sense of consistency for the offense.

For the Rams, the key will be balancing aggression with discipline. While rookie quarterbacks tend to make mistakes, Shough’s unfamiliarity could make him a wild card, capable of both big plays and risky turnovers due to simply not seeing enough time on the field. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s strategies will likely focus on creating confusion if Shough starts, forcing him into quick decisions, and testing his ability to handle the speed at the next level. How the Rams’ front seven and secondary perform could define the outcome more than any other matchup.

This Sunday isn’t just a typical game; it might be a first look at what Shough can do as a starter. For the Saints, it’s a moment to see how their rookie handles pressure.

With the Rams’ confidence rising, they could use this game as another boost heading into a tough back end of the season that includes five more divisional games and matchups against the Buccaneers and Lions.