NFL News & Analysis

Refocused, NFL Preseason Week 4: New Orleans Saints 28, Los Angeles Rams 0

New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) looks to throw against the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday evening, 28-0 continuing the fourth full week of preseason action in the NFL.

PFF's ReFocused series this season features immediate takeaways and a key to the victory from two Senior Analysts who graded the performance, watching every player, on every play of the game. For more data and analysis from the game, utilize our Premium Stats 2.0 dashboard to expand your knowledge on the key players, signature stats and much more.

FINAL SCORE

New Orleans Saints 28, Los Angeles Rams 0

Analyst Takeaways

The Rams offense was held in check all night long. Though they moved the ball well on their first drive, they were ultimately shut out and the backups showed very few signs of life. Fortunately for Rams fans, the regular season is coming soon. Los Angeles was sloppy both offensively and on special teams. They fumbled the ball three times, losing two, to go along with two interceptions. They also gave up a blocked punt that resulted in a special teams touchdown for the Saints.

Clearly, the Rams mailed this game in just as they have the entire preseason, resting all their defensive starters, they did little to slow down the Saints. Dominated in the trenches all night, the Rams clearly had one goal in mind: keep each starter healthy and prepare for the regular season.

Taysom Hill got the start for the Saints in their final preseason game and he didn't disappoint. Fueled by the Saints mid-week trade for Teddy Bridgewater, Hill showed all aspects of his game. He ran the ball well and made some nice throws. Overall the Saints game plan was clear, establish the run and dominate in the trenches which they did all night long.

The Saints defense flew around all night long as Alex Anzelone made an incredible toe-tapping interception in the red zone to end the Saints' first defensive series and they never looked back. Marcus Davenport played well in pash-rushing scenarios and his best play of the day came on a play that was ultimately wiped out by a penalty — rushing off the edge, exploding through the quarterback and forcing a fumble.

KEY TO THE GAME

Los Angeles: The Rams played far too poorly in every facet to come out with a win. Turning the ball over as often as they did make it nearly impossible to win at any level, let alone in the NFL

New Orleans: The Saints offensive line played well as they constantly opened up holes for the ground attack and pushed the Rams around all night

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