The New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams meet Saturday at SoFi Stadium in a preseason clash that carries real stakes for roster spots and early-season health.
The New Orleans Saints (0-1) and Los Angeles Rams (1-0) square off Saturday, Aug. 22 at SoFi Stadium in their second preseason outing, with both teams dealing with significant injury questions and position battles. The Rams come in with a 20-12 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs behind quarterback Ty Simpson’s sharp night, while the Saints are looking to rebound from a 24-20 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars — a game that saw star running back Alvin Kamara suffer an MCL sprain that could sideline him for at least a month. With the regular season approaching, this matchup will test depth at key spots, especially in the Saints’ backfield and the Rams’ receiving corps.
Saints: Kamara’s Injury Looms, but Wilson and Estime Show Promise
The Saints dropped their preseason opener to Jacksonville, but quarterback Zach Wilson provided a bright spot, completing 11 of 16 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown — a 1-yard strike to Oscar Delp. Running back Audric Estime added a 9-yard touchdown run, finishing with 28 yards on five carries, while wide receiver Bub Means led the team with four catches for 77 yards. Defensively, linebacker Dalys Beanum racked up a team-high 11 tackles, and defensive end Michael Heldman recorded two sacks. The big concern is Alvin Kamara’s MCL sprain, which has him listed as Questionable and is expected to keep him out at least a month. The Saints’ injury report is crowded: Questionable includes John Ridgeway III, Audric Estime, Pete Werner, Parker Washington, Patrick Mekari, Wyatt Milum, and LeQuint Allen Jr., while Jordyn Tyson is Doubtful and Parker Hughes is on Injured Reserve. Discipline has also been an issue — the team was fined $500,000 after multiple brawls at a joint practice with the Cowboys. With Chris Olave absent, Bryce Lance has taken advantage of extra reps, and kicker Tanner Brown connected on field goals of 49 and 29 yards.
Rams: Simpson Shines in Win, Stafford-Adams Chemistry Building
The Rams opened preseason with a 20-12 victory over the Chiefs, powered by quarterback Ty Simpson’s efficient night — 21 of 25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Dean Connors (9 yards and 2 yards). Running back Jordan Waters led the ground game with 37 yards on five carries, and wide receiver Brennan Presley had four catches for 58 yards. Safety Nick Andersen led the defense with nine tackles, and defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson added a sack. Kicker Harrison Mevis hit field goals of 25 and 40 yards. The Rams are also managing injuries: Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett are both Questionable, along with Ashton Gillotte, Jeff Caldwell, Keagen Trost, and Davis Allen; Justin Dedich is Out, and Mario Williams is on Injured Reserve. Head coach Sean McVay said the team won’t rush Nacua or Garrett back. In a notable development, retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald worked out for the Rams for a second time as he considers a comeback, and Matthew Stafford showed chemistry with wide receiver Davante Adams during joint practices with the Saints.
Head-to-Head: Key Matchups and X-Factors
This preseason matchup will hinge on backup quarterback play and roster battles. The Saints’ Zach Wilson looked sharp in the opener, while the Rams’ Ty Simpson was nearly flawless — both will see extended time. The Saints’ rushing attack will be tested without Kamara, with Audric Estime and LeQuint Allen Jr. (Questionable) vying for carries. On the other side, the Rams’ receiving corps, even without Nacua, has depth with Brennan Presley and Davante Adams getting reps. Defensively, the Saints’ pass rush (Michael Heldman had two sacks) will pressure the Rams’ quarterbacks, while the Rams’ defense, led by Nick Andersen, will try to contain Wilson and the Saints’ offense. Special teams could also be a factor, as both kickers — Tanner Brown for the Saints and Harrison Mevis for the Rams — had solid outings.
- Saints’ Alvin Kamara is Questionable with an MCL sprain and expected to miss at least a month.
- Rams’ Ty Simpson completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and 2 TDs in the opener.
- Rams’ Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett are Questionable; Saints have 10 players on the injury report.
- Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams have shown early chemistry in joint practices.
- Both teams are looking to solidify roster spots ahead of the regular season.
Prediction
Expect a competitive preseason game with backup quarterbacks making the difference. The Rams’ Ty Simpson has been more consistent, and the home crowd at SoFi Stadium gives Los Angeles an edge. The Saints’ injury-riddled backfield will struggle to sustain drives, while the Rams’ defense, led by Nick Andersen, will contain Zach Wilson. Look for the Rams to win a close one, 23-20, as Simpson adds another touchdown to his preseason resume.
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