The New Orleans Saints are playing better.
The Los Angeles Rams are inconsistent.
Both teams face an uphill climb to get into the playoffs and have little margin for error left as they prepare to meet Sunday afternoon in New Orleans.
The Saints (4-7) have won both games they have played since interim head coach Darren Rizzi was promoted from special teams coordinator to replace Dennis Allen, who was fired Nov. 4 after a seven-game losing streak.
New Orleans comes out of its bye sitting in third place in the NFC South, two games behind the Atlanta Falcons and one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“The one thing that I have been most proud of is the guys have done a phenomenal job of keeping their focus on that particular game,” Rizzi said. “It’s easy to get caught up in all the stuff that’s been going on with all the changes.
“The biggest thing is keeping the focus on the week and not getting caught up in the big-picture stuff. If we keep the focus on the next opponent, that other stuff will take care of itself.”
This will be the third straight home game for Rizzi as interim head coach. The Saints beat the Falcons 20-17 in his debut and followed that with a 35-14 victory over Cleveland in which they outscored the Browns 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
A series of significant injuries contributed to the losing streak, but New Orleans has gotten progressively healthier in recent weeks.
Quarterback Derek Carr improved in each of the last three contests after returning from a three-game absence caused by an oblique strain. The return of center Erik McCoy from groin surgery after a seven-game absence was a boost against the Browns, though he sat out part of the second half due to soreness and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Saints guard Lucas Patrick (calf) was declared out on Friday, while running back Jamaal Williams (groin) and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) were listed as questionable.
The Saints’ signing of veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Oct. 22 with top receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed injured has given Carr a much-needed big-play threat. In the past two games, Valdes-Scantling has three touchdown receptions and has averaged 39.2 yards on five catches.
The Rams are coming off a 37-20 home loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, their second defeat in three games after a three-game winning streak. They are tied with the San Francisco 49ers for last place in the NFC West, but they’re just one game behind the first-place Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals and have one game remaining against each of the three rivals.
“It’s still wide open,” Los Angeles safety Kamren Curl said. “We’re all still stacked on each other. We play everybody again, so I feel like in terms of the division race, we’ve still got our fate in our hands.”
Rams coach Sean McVay called the loss to the Eagles “a humbling night” after his team struggled on both sides of the ball. The defense allowed Saquon Barkley to rush for a career-high and franchise-record 255 yards as well as two touchdowns, and Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked five times.
Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who had a touchdown catch against the Eagles, was arrested on suspicion of DUI early Monday morning, but McVay said Wednesday that Robinson would be available Sunday.
Los Angeles left tackle Alaric Jackson (foot) missed practice Wednesday through Friday, and he was listed as questionable for the game. Right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle), who missed the past three games, should be ready to go, but tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) and offensive lineman KT Leveston (ankle) won’t play against New Orleans. Linebacker Nick Hampton (triceps) was considered questionable.
