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| ATL at CAR | BUF at MIA | CHI at OAK | CIN at BAL | CLE at PIT | DAL at NYG | DEN at KC | DET at ARI |
| IND at SD | JAX at TEN | MIN at GB | PHI at WAS | SF at SEA | STL at NO | ||
Week 10 Game Recap: St. Louis Rams 37, New Orleans Saints 29
What you need to know
| St. Louis Rams |
QB Marc Bulger looked like the Bulger of old. He was hitting his speedy receivers and making the plays that have eluded the Rams through their first eight winless games of the season. RB Steven Jackson and RB Antonio Pittman combined for well over 100 yards on the ground -- the first time in five games that the Saints have allowed over 100 yards rushing.
The Rams dominated in every facet of the game including time of possession, third down conversions, turnovers, and total yards. They put up 34 unanswered points. The game was not nearly as close as it looked, but the Rams had to be nervous as the Saints drew closer and closer late in the game. Luckily, they recovered two onside attempts by the Saints.
The Rams started the second half with a ten point lead and the ball. Bulger led them down the field to the three yard line but the drive stalled and the Rams were forced to settle for another Jeff Wilkins field goal. However, they converted so many of their opportunities throughout the entire game that it did not matter.
WR Torry Holt looked spectacular while reeling in eight catches. He looked strong and appeared to have no lingering effects from injuries.
| New Orleans Saints |
The Saints first drive of the game was effective, although penalty assisted, and resulted in a touchdown. Until the Rams' defense started to ease up, the Saints offense looked flat. QB Drew Brees threw a pair of first half interceptions which led to ten points for the suddenly alive and kicking St. Louis Rams. They finally looked to get back on track following PK Jeff Wilkins' 49-yard field goal with three consecutive plays over ten yards but the drive died quickly at midfield.
The Saints turned the ball over on downs at midfield on their first drive of the second half without gaining a first down. RB Reggie Bush was stacked up for a loss on both third and fourth down. The Rams followed up that performance with a quick touchdown pass to WR Isaac Bruce.
The game looked over at that point but the Saints were able to muster three touchdowns in the second half and cut the deficit to only eight. However, while the Rams amassed their big lead the Saints' offense looked hapless. They failed on two separate onsides kicks which would have given them a chance. A two point conversion pass from Brees was also picked off.
The Saints totaled 22 points in the fourth quarter but still fell short.
The Superdome crowd was really giving it to the home town team by the third quarter and the stadium started to empty by time the fourth quarter started.
OL Jammal Brown left the game in the first quarter with a leg injury.
What you ought to know
| QB Marc Bulger, Pass: 27 - 33 - 302 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - -1 - 0 |
Bulger had all day to throw from the pocket. He found his receivers in stride and led his team to the first victory of the season.
For perhaps the first time this year, Bulger looked injury-free. He was accurate and his arm looked strong. The season is likely already in the can for the Rams but Bulger could be looking at a strong second half if he can build off this game and keep it rolling.
| RB Steven Jackson, Pass: 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 22 - 76 - 1, Rec: 5 - 24 - 0 |
Jackson tossed an ugly looking (but effective) touchdown pass to TE Randy McMichael in the second quarter. The Rams snapped the ball on the two yard line and then QB Marc Bulger handed it off to Jackson who lobbed the ball to the tight end in the back of the end zone.
Earlier in the game, Jackson plunged into the end zone for a one yard touchdown run. It was the first score for the Rams on their way to 34 unanswered points. Jackson looks to be gaining strength since missing a few games with injury.
| RB Antonio Pittman, Rush: 7 - 53 - 0, Rec: 1 - 0 - 0 (2 targets) |
Pittman ran 43 yards to the one yard line on the final play of the third quarter. He dived for the pylon but barely missed it. He was given the ball on the very next play but failed to get into the end zone again.
| WR Torry Holt, Rec: 8 - 124 - 0 (11 targets) |
Holt looked fast. He made several clutch grabs on third and longs which were crucial in the Rams' dominating performance -- including converting a third and 17, a third and 15, and a third and seven.
| WR Isaac Bruce, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0, Rec: 4 - 62 - 1 (6 targets) |
Bruce was active throughout the game for the Rams. He made a stellar diving catch for an 18 yard gain in the third quarter and few plays later caught a nine yard toss in the end zone.
| WR Drew Bennett, Rec: 4 - 37 - 1 (5 targets) |
Bennett beat DB Jason David on his touchdown catch in the third quarter.
| TE Randy McMichael, Rec: 4 - 41 - 1 (5 targets) |
McMichael caught a short two yard touchdown pass from RB Steven Jackson in the second quarter. On the previous play, McMichael had been downed at the two yard line while attempted to leap his way into the end zone.
| PK Jeff Wilkins 3 - 3 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 13 points |
Wilkins barely punched through a 49 yard field goal in the dome in the second quarter.
| STL Rush Defense |
The Rams' run defense was stout against the Saints, however, the Saints only attempted eleven rushes as they were playing from behind for most of the game. It seemed like the Rams were ready for RB Reggie Bush whenever he took the ball.
| STL Pass Defense |
The Rams' pass defense was aided by the impressive pass rush put on by the defensive line. QB Drew Brees had no time to throw the ball for the first three quarters of the game. They forced him to throw from his back foot numerous times and the constant threat forced the two bad passes that were picked off.
The defense also stopped a scoring threat with a key third-down sack, forced an intentional grounding penalty, and sacked Brees for another drive ending loss following a high snap which was not handled cleanly.
| QB Drew Brees, Pass: 25 - 36 - 272 - 2 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0 |
Brees was not good early on this game. He threw two first half interceptions under pressure. The second pick was a wobbly pass which was grabbed by LB Pisa Tinoisamoa . Both first half interceptions led to scores for the Rams' offense. Brees was under pressure for most of the game. The protection schemes just did not work for the Saints as the Rams brought more pressure than they could handle. He was forced to throw off his back foot often and simply had no time to find his receivers early on.
After the Rams jumped out to a huge lead, they eased up on defense and Brees was able to start complete passes and finding his receivers. Brees ended the game with nice looking numbers but for the first three quarters of the game Brees and the Saints were unable to handle the Rams surprisingly aggressive defense.
| RB Reggie Bush, Rush: 7 - 17 - 1, Rec: 5 - 27 - 0 (6 targets) |
Outside of the seven yard touchdown run for RB Reggie Bush, he was ineffective on the ground. He nearly had another rushing touchdown late in the game but was forced out of bounds at the one yard line when he was handed the ball in the middle but opted to run outside. Bush was involved in pass protection for the Saints in the absence of RB Deuce McAllister but was run over again and again by the St. Louis defenders.
In the fourth quarter, Bush was shaken up after being hit on a receiving play in which he may have also fumbled but he was ruled down. He returned to his feet and jogged off the sideline. Bush also ran in two two-point conversations. He was useful in the passing game for the Saints, but running out from the backfield proved to be a challenge for the second year back.
| RB Aaron Stecker, Rush: 3 - 26 - 1, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (1 targets) |
Stecker ran in a short two yard touchdown with only minutes left in the game shortly after RB Reggie Bush was shaken up by a big hit.
| WR Marques Colston, Rec: 8 - 129 - 0 (14 targets) |
Colston made a nice jumping catch over the middle in the second half that was ruled incomplete despite the Saints' challenge. During the Saints' prolific fourth quarter Colston was QB Drew Brees' go to receiver.
| WR David Patten, Rec: 3 - 37 - 0 (6 targets) |
Patten was largely a non-factor against the Rams. His first catch was for a loss in the backfield.
| TE Eric Johnson, Rec: 3 - 38 - 1 (3 targets) |
Johnson hauled in the final Saints' touchdown of the game. Both he and TE Billy Miller caught touchdowns for the Saints in their failed comeback attempt. The touchdown nearly let the Saints back into the game but the following onsides kick attempt failed.
| TE Billy Miller, Rec: 1 - 1 - 1 (1 targets) |
Miller caught one catch for a touchdown but it was in garbage time after the Rams were already leading by 27 points in the fourth quarter.
| PK Olindo Mare 0 - 0 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 1 points |
Mare did not attempt any field goals and only tried one extra point attempt as the Saints were forced to go for two points on the three other touchdowns.
| NO Rush Defense |
The Saints rush defense has been solid this year, but the Rams' rushing attack of RB Steven Jackson and RB Antonio Pittman helped the Rams become the first team to rush for over 100 yards against the Saints in five games. With the passing game of the Rams firmly established early on, St. Louis was able to run the ball effectively against the reeling and tired Saints' defense.
The Saints' defense spent too much time on the field as the Rams' offense hogged the ball and dominated the time of possession for the game.
| NO Pass Defense |
DB Jason David was once again ineffective in the defensive backfield. He was victimized by a slew of Rams' receivers including WR Drew Bennett, WR Isaac Bruce, and WR Torry Holt. The Rams' offense appeared to target and isolate David and they were successful in their effort including a pair of TD catches in David's direction.
The Saints were also unable to stop the Rams on key third and long plays. QB Marc Bulger connected with WR Torry Holt for first downs on third and 17, third and 15, and third and seven. All of those plays came on scoring drives.
