How do you see this one playing out? The New Orleans Saints (1-7) have made a big change at quarterback, benching Spencer Rattler for rookie draft pick Tyler Shough ahead of Week 9’s road game with the Los Angeles Rams (5-2). Like every game left on the schedule, it’s a must-win for New Orleans to try and keep their hopes alive, but we know this season has a lot more going on than wins and losses. It’s a developmental year, and the weekly experience reflects that. We’ve seen what some of the rookies can do on defense. Can Shough show us something offensively? Here are our staff writers’ final scores and bold predictions for Sunday:
Rams 35, Saints 17
The New Orleans Saints are just not a good football team, it is as simple as that. With Tyler Shough in the lineup now there is at least some intrigue regarding how their offense is going to do, and he may provide some spark, but going against a defense that gets pressure as often as the Los Angeles Rams do, expect a few turnovers one way or another. With Puka Nacua back alongside Davante Adams, the secondary is going to be tested immensely for New Orleans, and they just have not provided much resistance this year. Bold prediction: Kyren Williams begins to find his spark a bit again going for 110 yards on the ground or more. — Jeremy Trottier
Rams 30, Saints 13
This looked like a potential mismatch when the schedule came out in the spring. It’s hard to imagine the Saints having much success offensively, even with the switch to rookie Tyler Shough. However, it will be interesting to see if Kellen Moore changes up his game plans and play-calling. On defense, I’m hoping to see the Saints expound on the momentum they seemed to establish last week and become a more consistent unit. These teams are on two completely different levels right now, and this one could get ugly. Bold prediction: Devaughn Vele catches 5 passes, leads the Saints in receiving yardage, and catches Tyler Shough’s first career touchdown pass. — Bob Rose
Rams 33, Saints 20
Walking into SoFi Stadium and outscoring the Rams is a tall order for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, but this might be the clearest vision of the Saints offense we’ve had all year. He is the quarterback Kellen Moore drafted to run it, after all, even if they’re missing a Pro Bowler in the middle of the offensive line. I don’t expect Shough to keep pace with Matthew Stafford, but I do think he’ll quiet some dissenters who have already written him off as a wasted draft pick. Maybe he can even throw the ball to Alvin Kamara with a chance to make a play. That’s something Spencer Rattler struggled to do. Bold prediction: Kamara eclipses 100 receiving yards on the afternoon, a season-high. — John Sigler