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Rams-Saints Breakdown
Posted: Thursday December 28, 2000 1:43 PM
Updated: Friday December 29, 2000 5:17 PM
CNNSI.com NFL analyst Pat Kirwan breaks down the wild-card weekend games and explains which team has the edge.
Matchups: Offense | Defense | Special Teams | Coaching
| OFFENSE |
| Rams | | Saints |
| Kurt Warner left last week game with a mild concussion but will start Saturday. He has shaken off the rust since returning from a broken finger, and has the Rams' offense rolling again. Despite missing five games, Warner finished the season completing 67 percent of his passes for over 3,429 yards and 21 touchdowns. If Warner has to leave the game for any reason, Trent Green has proven he can move the offense and score points. Depth won't be an issue for the Rams. | QB
 | Aaron Books has played well since taking over for Jeff Blake, who was injured in Week 12. Brooks has led the Saints to the NFC West title and has proven he can play in the NFL -- and win. He has great arm strength and athletic ability. He finished as the Saints' third-leading rusher. Brooks' passing numbers are modest, but he has been able to make big plays to win games. If Brooks goes down with an injury there is no chance the Saints can replicate his production. |
| Marshall Faulk's record-setting 26 touchdowns in only 14 games was tremendous. But his performance in the last four games -- 11 TDs -- probably won him the MVP trophy and were vital
in the Rams return to the playoffs. He is a matchup nightmare for
opposing defenses. He may be most dangerous when he is set out as a wide
receiver. The corners must match up with the wide outs so Marshall draws
nickle back or safety coverage and he wins every time. | RB
| Since the loss of Ricky Williams, the Saints have used a committee of backs to take his place. Terry Allen was picked up to help the running game and has been OK. Jerald Moore and Chad Morton will also get some carries. This group couldn't get it done last week against the Rams, so it's hard to believe they can do it this time. |
| Pro Bowler Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt both went over 1400 yards receiving for the season. Bruce leads this group of receivers that is the most explosive core of receivers in the league. The Rams have four players with 50 or more catches and four players with 700 yards or more. If these two aren't enough to scare the Saints they can always feature Az Hakim and Ricky Proehl. | WR / TE
| Joe Horn made be the biggest surprise at the wide receiver position in the NFL this season. After playing in Kansas City without much notoriety, he had a breakout season with 89 receptions for 1,280 yards and seven touchdowns. The Saints do not have the dept of the Rams. On critical pass downs, expect the Rams to double Horn and make the young Brooks find someone else. |
| Orlando Pace is the only Pro Bowler on a line that is expected to do a lot. With the spread offense there is a lot of pressure on the shoulders of the O-line to pass protect. Last week, they controled the line of scrimmage allowing Marshall Faulk rush for 220 yards against a tough Saints front seven. The passing game usually calls for the ball to be gone quickly so the protection is rarely challenged. | LINE
 | Pro Bowler Willie Roaf leads a massive line that has the ability to wear down defenses. They are the reason the Saints are the No. 8-ranked rushing team in the league, even without Ricky Williams. The Saints finished the season averaging 129.1 yards per game on the ground. When they need to gain the tough yardage on the ground look for the ball carrier to be right behind young right tackle Kyle Turley. |
| DEFENSE |
| Rams | | Saints |
| The Rams' defensive line is undersized and has underachieved all season. Kevin Carter and DeMarco Farr have not played up to last season standards. Grant Winstrom leads the team with 11 sacks but must improve against the run. | LINE
 | The Saints have one of the best front four in the league, especially when it comes to rushing the passer. The Saints' D-line accounted for 43 of their 67 sacks. LaRoi Glover (17 sacks) and Joe Johnson (12) are headed for the Pro Bowl. This group better stop reading their press clipping about their pass rush skills and stop Faulk the runner first. |
| London Fletcher leads the team with 126 tackles (101 solo) and has four interceptions and 5 1/2 sacks. However, inconsistent play and poor tackling has been a trademark of the LB core. This group is lucky Ricky Williams is unavailable to play this week, or I would have a bigger concern. | LB
| Keith Mitchell has had an outstanding year and is going to the Pro Bowl. He is part of an athletic and active LB core. Along with Darrin Smith and Mark Fields, the Saints LBs are three of the top four tacklers on the Saints' defense. |
| The defensive backs for the Rams have been inconsistent all season. Poor tackling and mistakes have plagued them all season. The only bright spot is Dexter McCleon's eight interceptions. Todd Lyght looked better last week and he needs to put two games back-to-back before I get back on his band wagon. | DB
| Safety Sammy Knight leads the team in tackles (90) and interceptions (five). The Saints' pass defense is ranked 10th in the NFL and has held the Rams under 300 yards passing in both games. |
| SPECIAL TEAMS |
| Rams | | Saints |
| Tony Horne and Az-zahir Hakim are to of the most dangerous return men in the game. Horne, however, is still hurting and is listed as questionable. Kicker Jeff Wilkins has missed some games, but when he's played he has been perfect. making 17 of 17 field-goal attempts.. |
| Chad Morton is the Saints' main return man, averaging more than 23 yards on kickoffs and 9.3 on punts. However, Morton is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. Kicker Doug Brien has only missed one field goal inside 40 yards and is 12-of-15 between 40-50 yards. |
| COACHING |
| Rams | | Saints |
| In Mike Martz's first season as head coach he has had adversity with injuries to his star QB and RB and a struggling defense, but he has shown an ability to adapt, especially in his play calling. He has balanced the offense by getting back to the running game. Martz continues to feed the football to Faulk especially in last week's victory (32 carries). |
| Jim Haslett has done a tremendous job in his first year with the Saints. He has taken the Saints from three wins to the NFC West title in one season. The Saints lost their QB and RB in consecutive weeks but Haslett was able to keep his team mentally in it. Most observers felt the Saints were finished. His efforts are deserving of coach of the year. |
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