This one's a doozy: According to the league, the Saints have not had a rookie starter win a game since Week 10, 1981 when Dave Wilson defeated the Rams 21-13. Tyler Shough will become the Saints' ninth starting QB since 2021 (Drew Brees retired following the 2020 season). Only the Browns have had more, deploying 12 starting quarterbacks in that window. Shough has 42 snaps of NFL experience as he steps into SoFi Stadium.
Watching the West
Last weekend, the NFC playoff bubble softened considerably, with the Vikings, Cowboys, Panthers, Bears, Falcons, and Commanders all losing.
If things go well this weekend, the Rams could have a two-game buffer in the loss column with respect to the NFC playoff picture.
But forget the Wild Card standings. Let's stay focused on winning the division.
Before hosting the Rams in Week 10, the 49ers (5-3) go to the Meadowlands to contend with the Giants. That game kicks before our game at SoFi Stadium.
Like LA, Seattle is coming off a bye. The Seahawks (5-2) go to Washington for Sunday Night Football.
And then the West has another prime-time appointment Monday, when the Cardinals (2-5) try to save their season in Dallas.
That's a pretty cool rooting interest setup for NFC West watching – Niners in the early window, followed by Rams, and then Seahawks and Cardinals on island games.