Editors Note: After a 27-20 Saints win against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 20, the Saints record is now 4-7. 

The New Orleans Saints are having a difficult season, to put it nicely. Carrying a 3-7 record into a Week 11 matchup with the defending Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams at the Caesars Superdome, it is safe to say that this season has not gone to plan for the franchise. The team has been devastated by injuries this season, with starting quarterback Jameis Winston ruled out for several weeks with a back injury, forcing backup quarterback Andy Dalton into action.
Starting wide receivers Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry have also missed multiple games this season with ankle and toe injuries, with Thomas’ injury eventually requiring season-ending surgery, marking the second consecutive season cut short by injury for him. On defense, starting cornerbacks Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore have had injuries that have forced them to miss multiple weeks, with Lattimore only playing four games this season due to an abdomen injury.
The rash of injuries at key positions, combined with a new head coach in Dennis Allen after the surprise retirement of longtime coach Sean Payton in the offseason, has produced the unfortunate situation the team finds themselves in this season. After facing Los Angeles, the Saints will have six games remaining this season, including a matchup with the conference-leading Philadelphia Eagles, who own the Saints first-round pick this season as a result of the draft day trade that gave the Saints rookie receiver Chris Olave, in Week 17.