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INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) The short week of rest and recovery for a Thursday night game is never a welcome sight on the schedule for NFL teams.Getting that a signment in Week 16 is particularly unpleasant for beat-up players and sleep-deprived coaches and even more daunting when the matchup carries significant playoff implications.Yet the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints have reasons to be positive about the timing of their compelling matchup at SoFi Stadium.The Rams (7-7) while playing , and they would like to keep their momentum going.ADVERTISEMENT Feels good to actually be playing at what were capable of, Rams linebacker Ernest Jones said. Early on, we let a lot of games slip, so its good to be rolling again. We cant wait to show everyone that this young team, were still going to fight.The Saints (7-7) are also on a roll with two straight dominant wins, including last Sunday. They also know theyll also return home from this quick trip to the West Coast with extra time for healing and Jason Heyward Jersey preparation for two games that could be even more important.After a good game that we had as a team you want to get back out there because you feel good, Saints quarterback Derek Carr said. Really, its in the mindset, as Ive learned over my 10 years. Youve got to set your mind for Thursdays. Theyre going to happen whether you want them to or not, and youve got to bring the energy and the effort to have a good day.Even a few weeks ago, the Saints visiting the Rams didnt look like a matchup worthy of prime time, since both teams had struggled to stay above .500 and in playoff contention this season.But both teams have played their way into the thick of the NFC postseason race since then, setting up a compelling contrast of styles and strengths.Sean McVays offense has moved up to eighth in the league with a series of strong performances led by Matthew Stafford, who is on a John Lackey Jersey roll with 12 TD pa ses and one interception in the past four games.I think theyve got a lot of guys that have played in a lot of big-time games, McVay said of the Saints. This is a team that knows how to play winning football in the month of December, so weve got a great challenge.New Orleans will counter with its excellent secondary leading a defense that hasnt allowed a touchdown in two straight games.This game is important to the first-place Saints, but they finish the season with two NFC South matchups, including a showdown on New Years Eve with division co-leader Tampa Bay.At this point we still have our destiny in our hands, Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said. We dont have to rely on anybody except us to try and get a playoff berth. The moment we falter is the moment we give somebody else our fate, and Ive been there before, probably the last two seasons. Thats not what Im looking for.RECENT RIVALRYThe Saints and Rams have Cole Hamels Jersey split two meetings since Los Angeles overtime win in New Orleans in the NFC championship game in January 2019 and neither game was good for quarterbacks.Drew Brees broke his hand in the Saints lo s in Los Angeles in September 2019 and mi sed the next five games, although it didnt stop New Orleans from going 13-3 that season.Stafford then played his final game of last season in the Rams 27-20 lo s in New Orleans last November, leaving early with a po sible concu sion and eventually being ruled out for the season with a bruised spinal cord.VETERAN LEADERSHIPLast week, the Saints coaching staff strategically Drew Smyly Jersey placed gas cans in the locker stalls of some key veteran players. The unspoken question was: How much gas do you have in the tank for a crucial late-season stretch?We kind of challenged older veteran players to step up and be at their best when their best is needed, Saints coach Dennis Allen said.Saints middle linebacker Demario Davis, now in his 12th NFL season, responded with a 10-tackle game highlighted by a sack and two tackles for lo s against New York. Jordan played through ankle sorene s and helped the Saints limit the Giants to just 60 yards rushing.It feels like its time for older guys to corral the team in terms of just sideline, in terms of energy, in terms of leading the charge, Jordan said.CARRS GHOSTSThe previous time Carr visited SoFi Stadium, the California native and his Las Vegas Raiders got their hearts ripped out by Baker Mayfield and the Rams, who scored two late touchdowns in last December. Carr pa sed for just 137 yards in one of the least productive games of his 10-year career.GRATIFYING REUNIONSaints tight end Jimmy Grahams return to the NFL after one season out of football, and with the team that drafted him, didnt always resemble a succe sful comeback story this season.Although he caught a touchdown pa s in Week 3, he had just two pa ses thrown to him the other falling incomplete during Kendall Graveman Jersey his first seven games. He was then inactive for four games before returning to the lineup three games ago.He has five catches in those three games three for touchdowns and the other two for first downs. Whats more, the Saints have scored nine TDs in 10 red zone opportunities in that stretch.Just his presence alone makes a difference, Carr said. As soon as hes out there on the field, everyones antenna is up. And thats good for us as a team.___AP NFL: