Rams welcomed new Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.They again showed the NFL they could be a postseason home run or a dangerous late club.
With Ohtani watching from Stan Kroenke's suite, the Rams' 30-22 win over the Saints at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night hurt their playoff hopes.
Matthew Stafford continued his great play, Puka Nacua and Demarcus Robinson caught touchdowns, while Kyren Williams ran for over 1,000 yards as the Rams went 8-7 and held the No. 7 NFC playoff spot.
Safety Jordan Fuller intercepted a pass and Ernest Jones IV and rookie Kobie Turner sacked the Rams for their fifth win in six.
Pregame, Ohtani sat. Early in the second quarter, Ohtani opened his leather jacket to reveal a custom No. 17 Rams jersey as cameras broadcast his photo on the enormous TV screen.
Stafford's 700-million-arm-angle throws impressed Ohtani, who signed a $700-million Dodgers contract. The Saints were sixth in passing and scoring defense, but facing Bryce Young and Tommy DeVito is different from Stafford.
Stafford completed 24 of 34 passes for 328 yards from inside and outside the pocket.The 15th-year veteran has 14 touchdowns and 1 interception in 5 games. Stafford passed nine times to Nacua, who wears 17 like Ohtani, Thursday night. Nacua's sixth score came after 164 yards.
Before the Rams ran out the clock, he rescued an onside kick.The Rams finish the season at 49ers after Sunday's Giants game. McVay's nemesis Kyle Shanahan will undoubtedly affect the finale given the 49ers are the NFC's top seed. That may not matter if the Rams lose to the Giants.Williams and the Rams will confidently travel east.