New Orleans Saints End Rams' Undefeated Season

It took nine weeks but the final undefeated team fell Sunday, as the Los Angeles Rams lost their first game of the season against the powerful New Orleans Saints, 45-35. The two best in the NFC put on an offensive show as each team was productive and efficient. We didn't see a punt until the final five minutes of the game. The Saints had 487 yards at 7.0 yards per play and wide receiver Michael Thomas set a Saints record with 211 receiving yards, 72 of which came on a crucial touchdown catch-and-run late in the game to secure the victory. Drew Brees passed for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Rams finished with 483 yards at 8.2 yards per play, and Jared Goff passed for 391 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception.

The New Orleans Saints were a slight 1.5-point favorite during the week, but over the weekend Los Angeles (-2) became the favorite as heavy money rolled in on the Rams. The total hit 59.5 during the week before being bet down to 57.5, but the game easily went over the total with 80 points scored and the most combined total yards in Week 9 action.

The surging Saints won their 7^th straight game following a week 1 upset to Tampa Bay. The Saints also 6-0 ATS in as many tries. The Rams have failed to cover the point spread in five of their last six games despite scoring at least 29 points in five of those contests.

"The Rams have opened as a 10-point favorite against Seattle for Week 10 despite the loss to the New Orleans Saints."

New Orleans and Los Angeles are in solid position to continue as the top-2 seeds in the NFC, and the Saints' victory now gives them the tie-breaker for home field advantage in the playoffs should the two end up tied at the end of the regular season.

Sean McVay will try to regroup returning home to play Seattle, and then Kansas City (8-1) in Mexico the next two weeks. The Rams have opened as a 10-point favorite against Seattle for Week 10 despite the loss to the New Orleans Saints. Los Angeles plays two teams with a winning record and three teams with a losing record to finish the regular season, along with Seattle (4-4) and Philadelphia (4-4).

The Cincinnati Bengals are the next target for the New Orleans Saints, with Brees and company opening as 4.5-point road favorite with the Bengals coming off their bye week. New Orleans plays five teams with winning records and two teams with losing records to finish the season, along with Atlanta (4-4). Two games against division rival Carolina (6-2) will be pivotal in the NFC South standings and playoff picture.

For a season that has long been about two great teams and then everyone else, we finally have another legitimate Super Bowl LIII contender. Welcome the New Orleans Saints to the mix. This is going to be a wild second half.