The Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl last season.
The New Orleans Saints had a winning record in each of the last five seasons.
Understandably high expectations ushered the franchises into the 2022 season.
But as they prepare to meet Sunday in New Orleans, both the Rams (3-6) and the Saints (3-7) have been hampered significantly by injuries and desperately need a win if they hope to turn their seasons in a positive direction.
Yardbarker pick for Rams vs. Saints
Spread: New Orleans -3
Total: 39 points
Both the Rams and Saints have looked quite horrid this season. With Cooper Kupp now out, this Los Angeles offense is about to find its ugliest form yet. The Saints are one of the NFL's worst this year, but at home we'll take them to win this one in a game we'd be happier not watching. — Griffin Carroll, Yardbarker
Betting: Saints -3
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"You've got to be more process-oriented than ever before," Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said. "It's easy to say that when things are going well, and now you really get forced to kind of put it to the test."
Things got worse for the Rams this week when star wide receiver Cooper Kupp underwent ankle surgery that will sideline him indefinitely.
"We have to figure out how to accentuate the skill sets of the guys that will be playing," McVay said.
The Rams also lost two starting offensive linemen because of health issues. Tackle Alaric Jackson will miss the rest of the season because of blood clots and guard Chandler Brewer will miss four to six weeks because of a knee injury.
Los Angeles did receive some good news Wednesday when quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had been in concussion protocol, practiced fully.
New Orleans is without former All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas due to foot surgery and top cornerback Marshon Lattimore and starting linebacker Pete Werner remained sidelined.
"I told the team, ‘Man, there's got to be a sense of urgency in everything we do," head coach Dennis Allen said. "We've got to get some things corrected, and there has to be a sense of urgency about doing that. And what we've done to this point has not been good enough.
"And so we keep doing the same things and expect it to be different, that's the definition of insanity. So we've got to change the way we prepare, we've got to change the way we get ready to play a game. That's coaches, players, that's all of us because it hasn't been up to the standard that we have here."
After poor offensive performances in consecutive losses to Baltimore (27-13) and at Pittsburgh last Sunday (20-10) Allen pondered benching quarterback Andy Dalton and returning to Jameis Winston, who was sidelined after three games because of a back injury but has been cleared to play.
"We're going to go with Andy," Allen said after practice Wednesday. "We discussed it as a staff. I got an opportunity to talk to both quarterbacks, and I feel like right now, Andy is the direction that we want to go."
Dalton will try to get the offense back on track while playing without a majority of his starting offensive linemen.
Left tackle James Hurst, who was sidelined by a concussion during last week's game, didn't practice Wednesday, nor did left guard Andrus Peat, who missed last week's game because of a triceps injury.
Center Josh Andrews, who moved into the starting lineup when Erik McCoy went on injured reserve last week, missed practice because of illness, as did right tackle Ryan Ramczyk.
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