NFL Thursday Night Football updates, highlights
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This season’s penultimate edition of “Thursday Night Football” could prove critical in helping determine two NFC teams’ postseason fortunes.
The Los Angeles Rams currently stand at 7-7 and in the last wild-card spot thanks to tiebreakers. Once a playoff afterthought after a 3-6 start, Sean McVay’s crew has now won four of its last five games to make a serious postseason push. But with a crowded field clawing for two spots, there’s little room for error down the stretch.
The New Orleans Saints, meanwhile, head to Los Angeles still tied for first in the NFC South but behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a tiebreaker. The Saints have won consecutive games against the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants to resuscitate their playoff hopes after a three-game skid, but larger tests await down the stretch, as New Orleans will finish with divisional contests against the Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons.
USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, scores, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more from the Saints-Rams game. Follow along.
The Rams’ 14-play drive end in seven points.
Rams coach Sean McVay elected to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Matthew Stafford retrieved the football in shotgun formation and threw a short pass to rookie Puka Nacua for a touchdown.
The touchdown concluded a first drive that was over eight minutes for the Rams.
Nacua had two receptions in the Rams first possession. The touchdown was Nacua’s fifth of the season. — Tyler Dragon
Saints vs. Rams is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 21.
Saints at Rams will be streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and will be broadcast in local markets only.
The Rams are favorites to defeat the Saints, according to BetMGM NFL odds.
- Spread: Rams (-12)
- Moneyline: Rams (-210); Saints (+170)
- Over/under: 45.5
USA TODAY Sports’ staff picks for this game:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Rams 24, Saints 18 — In what’s a crucial game for the NFC wild-card picture, the Saints are weak against the run, ranking 24th in the league in rushing defense. Rams running back Kyren Williams has been ultra-productive over the last month and L.A. wins when he does well. The recipe here is clear.
- Tyler Dragon: Rams 23, Saints 20 — This primetime game has playoff implications. Both these 7-7 teams are fighting for wild-card spots in the NFC. Derek Carr is coming off a three-touchdown game, but he’s struggled with consistency in a New Orleans uniform. Rams WR Puka Nacua (1,163) needs 311 more receiving yards to set the NFL’s single-season receiving yards record by a rookie. Cooper Kupp, Nacua and the Rams offense should be able to outscore the Saints in what is an important game for both clubs.
- Safid Deen: Rams 24, Saints 18 — It’s a shame the Rams are just 7-7, but their major players – Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Kyren Williams and Puka Nucua – are finally healthy. The Rams will make the playoffs if they can stay that way and should beat the Saints at…
Read More: NFL Thursday Night Football updates, highlights 2023-12-22 01:15:00