Sturdy Saints can slay unbeaten Rams

Sky Sports Action, 9.25pm Sunday

It’s without doubt the biggest game of the season as the unbeaten Rams travel to Louisiana to take on the 6-1 Saints with both sides gunning for NFC supremacy.

Victory for Los Angeles would send them two wins clear at the top of the conference but after a scare at home to Green Bay last week they may not be as invincible as previously thought.

They came out 29-27 victors but that was largely due to a Ty Montgomery fumble on a kickoff return that was deemed so unforgivable by Packers staff that the running back was traded to Baltimore a few days later.

The Rams were well fancied for Super Bowl glory this year but they have ridden their luck recently, winning three of their last four games by three points or fewer, and looked vulnerable against Seattle four weeks ago.

Facing a New Orleans team who have won their last six and in front of a booming home crowd is no easy task, and talisman running back Todd Gurley could run into trouble as he takes on a defence that has given up just 74 rushing yards a game, the lowest in the league.

A shootout looks likely and backing Drew Brees to throw for over 292.5 passing yards is tempting. But having the Saints as underdogs at home is far too appealing when they have already risen to the occasion against a number of playoff contenders.

Recommendation
New Orleans
2pts 11-10 Skybet

The lowdown
Venue Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Surface Artificial
Weather Indoors
Vegas handicap LA Rams -1
Vegas points line 58.5

Team news
LA Rams
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is expected to have recovered from a knee injury while cornerback Sam Shields is rated questionable with illness.

New Orleans
Receiver Michael Thomas is fit after a shoulder problem and hopes are high that running back Alvin Kamara will be available after missing practice earlier in the week with illness.

Key stat
The home team has won the last five meetings between these two.

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