Sean McVay squares off against former DC Brandon Staley

The 5-2 Los Angeles Rams will host the 1-7 New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium in what will be just the third NFC conference game this year for Sean McVay’s squad. New Orleans is coming off a 23-3 loss to their divisional rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Rams and Saints are headed in opposite directions but this game carries a lot of significance for LA looking to climb in the NFC standings. New Orleans has playmakers on their roster but the quarterback position has weighed them down from competing in most games. Tyler Shough will take center stage as the team opted to bench Spencer Rattler. Here is a deeper outlook on each team’s position breakdown headed into Sunday’s game.

QB Breakdown: These teams couldn’t be further apart when it comes to who they have operating under center. Stafford is in Year 17 while Shough will make his first NFL start. Stafford is arguably having his best NFL season to date. Stafford leads the NFL in touchdown passes despite playing one less game (bye week) than the majority of quarterbacks. Stafford is also third in passing yards and will look to elevate himself further in that standing. If Stafford can continue to protect the football, he very well might be the NFL’s MVP bye the end of the year.

Shough will be tasked with leading an offense that is 29th in PPG (16.0). There may not be a ton of pressure on Shough to produce in this game because of the opponent so this may actually be of benefit to him.

RB Breakdown: Kyren Williams has been pretty pedestrian in the run game; only averaging 4.4 per carry and scoring two touchdowns. He’s actually more beneficial out of the backfield as a checkdown option; scoring three touchdowns and on pace to have his best statistical receiving season.

Alvin Kamara is a shell of his former self. The dual threat back is only logging about 15 touches per game with 63 total yards. Kendre Miller has been the more efficient running back (4.1 > 3.6) in terms of yards per carry.

WR Breakdown: Puka Nacua is set to return to the Rams following a mid-game injury in Baltimore in Week 6. He was forced to miss the game against the Jaguars in London but according to Sean McVay, it may have been a blessing in disguise for the offense. Davante Adams showed off his athleticism in the red zone; catching three touchdowns from Stafford. Konata Mumpfield found his way onto the field despite being a 7th round pick and collected his first career touchdown.

The only negative for Week 9 is that Tutu Atwell will miss the next four games because of a lingering hamstring injury. While critics will continue to point out his lack of production, I still believe the speedster provides a different dimension to the offense. Look no further than his game-winning touchdown against Indianapolis and his explosive play against San Francisco in overtime.

The Saints have...