Rams survive scare, defeat Saints 30-22 on 'TNF' to improve postseason odds

In a matchup with major playoff implications, the Los Angeles Rams survived a late scare, defeating the New Orleans Saints 30-22 on "Thursday Night Football." Here are three takeaways from the Rams big win.

Rams offense stays hot: The offense's miraculous turnaround continued on Thursday. The Rams overwhelmed the Saints defense, scoring on six of 10 possessions while recording 458 yards of total offense.

Through the air, quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 24-of-34 for 328 yards and two touchdowns, while wideout Puka Nacua went off, recording nine receptions for 164 yards and a score. Meanwhile, second-year running back Kyren Williams topped 100 yards for the third straight week, rushing for 104 yards (22 carries) and a TD. 

The offense has come to life after a sluggish start to the year. Through Week 10, the Rams were scoring only 19 points a game. Since then, they are averaging 30 points and 406 yards of offense and have won five of six games.

Dominating in the passing and run game, the Rams' unit proved on Thursday why the rest of the NFC might want to avoid them come playoff time.

Rams' late-game defense needs improvement: For the third straight week, the Rams had trouble holding onto a fourth-quarter lead. Once in command 30-7 early in the final stanza, L.A.'s defense made things interesting by letting the Saints back into the game. 

A 32-yard field goal by Lucas Havrisik gave the Rams a 23-point advantage with 12:44 left. However, the Saints scored on their next two possessions, and with 3:53 remaining they needed only a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to tie the game. 

The Rams ultimately escaped the brief scare on Thursday with a victory, but defensive failings late are becoming a trend for the Rams. In week 14, up by as many as six, the Rams held a two-point advantage over the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth, ultimately losing in overtime, 37-31. Then, in Week 15, the defense allowed the Washington Commanders to overcome a 20-7 fourth-quarter deficit before the offense bailed them out in a 28-20 win. 

A massive victory over the Saints has the Rams squarely in the NFC playoff picture. Still, if they hope to solidify a postseason spot and avoid an early exit, something has to change on the defensive side of the ball. 

Rams strengthened playoff odds while Saints took a big hit: For now, the Rams hold sole possession of the No. 6 seed in the NFC. According to the New York Times playoff simulator, they have a 69 percent chance of making the postseason, up from 49 percent before the game. If the season ended right this second, they'd matchup against their QB's former team, the No. 3-seeded Detroit Lions. 

While the likelihood of a playoff berth went up for the Rams, the loss all but ends any hope for the now 7-8 Saints. Their defense was a no-show in a must-win game, and the offense didn't make its presence known until it was too late. Heading into Week 16, the Saints' postseason odds were slim (39 percent), but they fell to 21 percent following the loss. 

The Saints got back into the playoff picture with two-straight victories over the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, but their struggles against winning teams did them in. Including the Rams, the Saints are now 1-7 this season against teams at .500 or better.