Thursday Night Football for week 16 in the NFL features an NFC West clash between the Rams and Saints. Both teams have a 7-7 record and will battle for a playoff berth at SoFi Stadium. Things are looking up for both teams, after the Saints defeated the Giants on Sunday 24-6, while the Rams secured a 28-20 win against the Commanders.
The Rams are a 4-point favorite at the best sports gambling apps. However, SoFi Stadium has never felt like a genuine home turf for the Rams, making this high-stakes duel more equally matched. Let’s preview the matchup and available odds for the best football bets.
The Rams Are Resurgent in the NFC
The Rams hold the 7th seed in the NFC, thanks to a better conference record than the Saints. This is a resurgent team, something they prove by taking the Ravens in overtime in week 14, and confidently beating the Commanders with 445 total offense on Sunday.
Los Angeles scores 23.4 points per contest, and quarterback Matthew Stafford appears to have overcome injuries that bothered him at the start of the season and has racked up 3,320 yards with 21 touchdowns.
Stafford is relying on rookie receiver Puka Nacua, who leads the Rams with 1,163 yards and 4 TDs. Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp is starting to get into a rhythm, collecting 658 yards and 4 TDs this season, and with tight end Tyler Higbee in the mix, the passing game is potent. The defense is solid, allowing 22.1 points per game.
Coach Sean McVay will be able to count on most of the starters for Thursday's game, with injury not hampering the team, and has proven to be able to scheme a successful offense in big games.
Saints’s Defense Can Make In-Game Adjustments
The Saint's situation is interesting because they are in the race for the division title and a wild card spot. Currently, the Saints are 9th in the NFC, and the win against the Giants on Sunday did not prove much, considering the Giants are not a Rams-caliber team this season.
The Saints recorded 296 yards of total offense against the Giants and rank 16th in the league in passing offense, while the rushing offense averages 103.2 yards per game, ranking 19th in the NFL. New Orleans scores 22.1 points per contest, and Derek Carr has not been the most consistent quarterback with 3,098 yards and 16 TDs for 7 interceptions.
Running back Alvin Kamara is still a force, and the 630 yards and 5 TDs, would have been high if it was not for the three-game suspension at the start of the season. Saints’ head coach Denis Allen’s defense is capable of making in-game adjustments. His team concedes 19.1 points per game, and will create problems for McVay’s offense.
Betting Prediction
Thursday Night football lacks excitement this year, but these teams' playoff races should offer some thrilling moments. The best betting sites with free bets offer -205 odds on a Rams moneyline bet, with the Saints receiving +170 odds for the same bet type. The point spread offers -108 odds for New Orleans to cover its +4 points spread and -112 odds on the favorite Rams.
The total is 44.5 points with equal -110 betting lines for the Over and Under bets. The Saints are still in the race for the NFC South crown, while the Rams can only hope for a wild card spot. The Rams have won four out of their last six games and look like the more dangerous team in this matchup.
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