Saints bring Rams' perfect run to an end in wild shootout

By Mike Jones - USA Today

A highly anticipated matchup between the NFC’s elite did not disappoint. The Saints came in with a six-game win streak and extended it to seven, outgunning the Rams 45-35 to hand Los Angeles its first loss of the season.

Here are three things we learned in this game.

1.) The Saints’ defense is underrated

The Saints and Rams' offenses drew much of the attention entering this game given the units' video-game-like explosiveness, elite-level passers and big-play running backs and receivers. But the Saints won Sunday's game over the Rams thanks in large part to their defense.

New Orleans' unit entered the game ranked in middle-of-the-pack in several categories, and it appeared to be particularly vulnerable to the pass. But the Saints’ defenders delivered huge stands for their team late in the first half and again with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. Three strong stands in the second quarter led to a turnover on downs and an interception. New Orleans’ offense then cashed those possessions in and notched three straight touchdowns, which gave them a 35-17 halftime lead.

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