The Los Angeles Rams are facing a borderline must-win game in Week 13 when they visit the New Orleans Saints. At 4-7, the Saints aren’t exactly the most formidable opponent, but they’re 2-0 since firing Dennis Allen and the offense has gotten back on track with Derek Carr leading the way.
It’s going to be a tough matchup for the Rams, especially with it being a road game at the always-loud Superdome in New Orleans. Plus, the Rams are facing a huge disadvantage from a rest perspective.
The Saints are coming off a Week 12 bye with their last game being on Nov. 17 against the Browns – a 35-14 win at home. The Rams, on the other hand, just played on Sunday night, so the Saints will have a full extra week of rest to prepare for this game against Los Angeles.
It’s not as if the Saints have been flying all over the country, either. The last time they were on the road was Nov. 3 when they were in Charlotte to face the Panthers. So they’ve been at home in New Orleans for the last three weeks, which only adds to New Orleans’ rest advantage.
The Rams, meanwhile, have had a tough travel schedule. They faced the Dolphins at home on Monday night in Week 10, flew to New England for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff the following Sunday, and then faced an Eagles team that had played on Thursday night the week prior.
That makes three straight games where the Rams have a rest disadvantage against their opponent: one day fewer against the Patriots, three days fewer against the Eagles and now a full week against the Saints.
It’s not a short week for the Rams but it is a game where they have less time to prepare for their opponent. Sean McVay is one of the best coaches in the game when it comes to getting his team ready to go, so the Rams should be just fine on Sunday when they visit the Saints.