Past the midway point of the season, teams are starting to find their identity. Fans, analysts, and writers alike are starting to distinguish the NFL’s great teams from the elite teams. In this league, any team is beatable on any given day, and this is evidenced by the fact that through week 10, there aren’t any undefeated teams. At this point in the season, we’ll look to analyze the NFL’s two most elite teams.
We will not only dissect their paths so far this season, but also their strengths with the remaining schedule, what they must do to win those games, and what changes may be necessary if they want to be competing for the Lombardi Trophy, come February. Considering all factors, the “elite teams” we look to discuss are the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints.
Los Angeles Rams (9-1)
The most complete team in football is the Los Angeles Rams. This season has been no fluke. Through their first 10 games, they rank second in total offense. Quarterback Jared Goff has been playing at an extremely efficient level. He ranks seventh in the league in third-down percentage with a 46.1% conversion rate. In addition to this, thanks to the lethal wide receiver core of Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp, and Robert Woods, the Rams are totaling 303.2 passing yards per game (fifth in the league).
In regards to rushing, the Rams just happen to have the best running back in the NFL, Todd Gurley II. The Rams’ 144.8 rushing yards per game (second in the league) are largely in part to Gurley’s work on the field.
What the Rams boast in offense, however, they lack in defense. Currently harboring the lack-luster 13th defense in the league, the Rams are clearly in need of CB Aqib Talib (ankle surgery) who, come his return, should shut down any opposing team’s top receiver. This addition would also allow CB Marcus Peters to be more of the dynamic player he truly is since his performance has been weak since Week 4.
Schedule
Coming into this season, the Rams had been tied for fifth in terms of schedule strength. Their first notable game came in Week 3, the “Battle of Los Angeles.” It could’ve easily been a loss if the Chargers didn’t have so many drops. But capitalizing on their opposition’s mistakes, the Rams were able to put together a 35-23 win.
Four days later, to start off Week 4, the Rams arguably had their best offensive performance of the season. In a 38-31 shootout against the Vikings, Jared Goff had 465 passing yards. The previously discussed receiving core, led by Cooper Kupp, had 100+ yards each.
When thrown their biggest challenge of the season, the Rams proved they could perform well under pressure. The undefeated start would then carry onto Seattle, where a close 38-31 game vs the Seahawks further proved the Rams’ “eliteness.”
The Rams would go on to win eight straight games leading into a potential NFC Championship preview against the Saints. The Saints handed the Rams their first loss, but here, the Rams never looked better. LA managed to come back and tie the game in the fourth, after being down as many as 21 before halftime.
Despite the 45-35 loss, the game showed just how good the Rams can be when facing pressure. On a side note, Michael Thomas would have a career high in receiving yards all over Marcus Peters. This more than shows how needed Aqib Talib is.
Then came Seattle again, a game in which the Rams toughed out a 36-31 win. Jared Goff would have 318 passing yards to go along with Gurley’s 120 rushing yards. However, WR Cooper Kupp suffered a torn ACL. The Rams lost one of their top receiving threats for the year.
Down the Line
Remaining schedule: vs Chiefs (9-1), @ Lions (3-6), @ Bears (6-3), vs Eagles (4-5), @ Cardinals (2-7), vs 49ers (2-7).
End of season record prediction (14-2): The Rams’ only remaining challenge should come against the Chiefs in a game that was moved back from Mexico City to Los Angeles. If that defense doesn’t shape out, we may be in store for another shootout. However, so far this season, the Rams have looked like more of an offensive threat than the Chiefs.
Biggest goal: Home field advantage. We’ve seen what the Saints have done to the Rams at home. Who’s to say that the result wouldn’t be the same if the Rams were home. If the Rams want a chance at the Lombardi Trophy, the NFC Playoffs must run through Los Angeles.
New Orleans Saints (8-1)
At this point in the season, the only competition to the Rams seems to be the New Orleans Saints (and it’s not only because they’ve had their way with LA). The Saints are a team with assets and weapons all around. This team is already equipped with one of the greatest QBs of all-time, Drew Brees, and in addition to him, you have a phenomenal and proven running back, Alvin Kamara.
The Saints aren’t a team that’s heavily talked about. but they seem to go about their business accordingly. They traded a fourth and seventh round pick for former Giants CB Eli Apple which added depth to their defense. The Saints’ are the fifth-ranked offense in the league (413.9 offensive yards per game). Defensively, they’re as efficient, if not more, ranking first in rushing yards allowed (80.1).
On November 7, the Saints signed Dez Bryant to a one-year deal. No one knows if the 30-year-old had anything left in the tank, but the Saints were more than willing to take the risk. And what did Bryant bring to the table? An impressive 16 touchdown catches in the fourth-quarter/overtime. This is the fifth most of all-time, falling only behind four Hall of Famers. In 2017, Bryant had a sub-par, yet efficient, year finishing with 838 yards and six touchdowns. Besides his questionable attitude and/or off-field actions, there wasn’t much to say about Bryant.
Two days later, it was reported that Dez Bryant tore his Achilles in practice. This was a huge blow to the Saints who needed another pass-catcher. Nonetheless, the Saints still remain a threat.
Not that there was a question but MRI confirmed that Dez Bryant tore his Achilles, per source. An expected 8-month recovery.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2018
Schedule
The Saints were tied for the second-hardest schedule. Notable games this season began with a shocking loss against Fitzmagic and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That was followed by yet another shocking game: a mere three-point victory over the Cleveland Browns. The season went on with a 396-yard performance by Drew Brees in an OT win vs division foe, the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 8, the Saints managed to snag what was a great win vs the Vikings.
This led to the NFL’s most premier match-up so far: Saints vs. Rams. New Orleans’ rapid-fire offense had a 35-17 halftime lead behind Alvin Kamara’s three first-half touchdowns. The Rams would battle back to tie the game in the fourth, but the young gun WR Michael Thomas capped the game with a 72-yard touchdown. Thomas finished the game with a career-high 211 yards on 12 receptions.
Continuing their seven-game win streak, the Saints would go into Cincinnati and decimate the Bengals 51-14. Drew Brees had 265 yards and three touchdowns, Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara would put up a combined 160 yards and two touchdowns, and Michael Thomas would continuing his great play with 70 receiving yards to go along with two touchdowns.
If anything, the Saints are the league’s hottest team and definitely among the elite. Despite their victory over the Rams at home, though, it’s still questionable if they’re the better team.
Down the Line
Remaining schedule: vs Eagles (4-5), vs Falcons (4-5), @ Cowboys (4-5), @ Buccaneers (3-6), @ Panthers (6-3), vs Steelers (6-2-1), vs Panthers (6-3).
End of season record prediction (14-2): The Saints are, no doubt, in the hardest division in football. With the Falcons riding sky high, Sean Payton’s team may be in for a challenge. Their second loss will likely come against the Steelers at home.
Pittsburgh looks like a well-oiled machine that doesn’t even need Le’Veon Bell. As for Carolina, they were just handed a huge loss while giving up 52 points in the process.
Biggest Goal: Home-field advantage and winning the division. The Saints winning the division is actually questionable. The Panthers only have three losses, and the Falcons can get hot on any given day. It’ll be very interesting to see how this division ends up, but to come out victorious, the Saints have to remain on track.
Is Michael Thomas going to keep up his excellent play against the weak defense of the Falcons? Will the Saints be able to match the toughness of the Steelers?
Conclusion
In terms of the NFL’s “elite,” these are the two best teams in the NFC. The Rams and Saints are looking like they’re head and shoulders above everyone else. The question is, with anyone being beatable, can both teams keep up their excellent play?
They both have the necessary assets and tools to make a run in the playoffs and meet again come January. Will one team crumble and another triumph? Or will both teams fall off and make room for more NFC contenders?