Saints vs. Rams NFL Week 16 – As the NFL season inches closer to the playoffs, the Week 16 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, is poised to be a pivotal clash. Both teams, standing at a 7-7 record, are looking to bolster their playoff aspirations. This Thursday night game, set for an 8:15 PM ET kickoff and televised on AMZN, is drawing significant attention from expert NFL picks, with intriguing dynamics at play.
New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams
Date & Time: Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 8:15 PM ET
Location: SoFi Stadium
TV: AMZN
Saints vs. Rams NFL Week 16 Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Saints | +180 | +4 (-106) | 44.5 over (-110) |
| Rams | -210 | -4 (-114) | 44.5 under (-110) |
New Orleans Saints Analysis
Led by veteran QB Derek Carr, the Saints passing offense ranks 21st with 221.3 yards per game. Carr has thrown for 3098 yards, 16 TDs and 7 INTs. While his completion percentage of 67.4% is solid, he tends to check down rather than push the ball downfield. His top target is rookie WR Chris Olave, who leads the team with 918 receiving yards on 72 catches. However, the Saints lack a consistent deep threat since Michael Thomas was injured.
The ground game features RB Alvin Kamara, who has put together another strong season with 630 rushing yards, 5 TDs and a solid 4.0 yards per carry average. He remains one of the most elusive backs in space. However, he has dealt with nagging injuries, missing 5 games so far. Backup RB Dwayne Washington has struggled in Kamara’s absence, averaging just 2.7 yards per rush. If Kamara suits up, the Saints offense becomes much more dynamic and versatile. His availability could be the deciding factor on Thursday night.
Los Angeles Rams Analysis
QB Matthew Stafford powers the Rams lethal passing attack. Despite nagging injuries, he has still produced 3320 yards, 21 TDs and 9 INTs this year. Stafford excels with the deep ball, already racking up an impressive 11 passes of 40+ yards this season. With WR Cooper Kupp out injured, Stafford has relied more on emerging second-year WR Puka Nacua. The young wideout has delivered with a team-high 87 catches for 1163 yards and 4 TDs. If the Saints fail to generate pressure on Stafford, he could easily pick apart their mediocre secondary downfield.
Second-year RB Kyren Williams has seized the lead back role following Cam Akers’ departure. The rookie has been a revelation with 953 rushing yards, 8 TDs and a robust 5.1 yards per carry. He has much-needed explosiveness this offense missed last season. Williams is also averaging an excellent 10.7 yards per reception, providing value on passing downs. The Saints have struggled limiting opposing ground games this year. Williams could be poised for a monster outing if that trend continues on Thursday night.
New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams Against the Spread
The Saints are 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 games. New Orleans is also 0-6 ATS in their last 6 road games against the Rams. The total has gone UNDER in 16 of the Saints’ last 20 games.
The Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games against the Saints. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the Rams’ last 6 home games.
New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams Free Pick
Based on odds, trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Rams (-210). The Rams’ recent form and their strong home record make them the safer bet.
Spread: Los Angeles Rams -4 (-114). The Rams have been reliable at covering the spread, especially at home against the Saints.
Total: Under 44.5 (-110). Both teams have a trend of unders, especially in high-stakes games.
Predicted Score: Los Angeles Rams 24, New Orleans Saints 17
Overall, Los Angeles Rams appear to be the safest pick in this NFL Week 16 matchup regarding spread betting. Their strong performance against New Orleans makes this matchup more likely for them. Fans looking to place bets can find this matchup featured on top betting websites in Canada offering various options. With both teams at crucial junctures in their seasons this game promises to be captivating with significant playoff ramifications.
