The gumbo the New Orleans Saints are cooking up is flavored

Drew Brees to Michael Thomas http://www.cowboyscheapauthenticstore.com/trysten-hill-jersey-cheap , plenty of runs by Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, and enough dashes of defense to negate the high-powered offense of the Los Angeles Rams.Will that be the proper recipe?Here’s how they match up:WHEN LOS ANGELES HAS THE BALLBalance is the keyword to the Rams’ offense, starting with the NFL’s most versatile running back, All-Pro Todd Gurley (30). Gurley not only led the NFL with 21 TDs, he ranked fourth with 1,831 yards from scrimmage despite being slowed in December. He can do the dirty work inside and also break long gainers. And when he’s struggled with knee issues recently, late-season pickup C.J. Anderson (35) has been masterful.To combat the ground game, the Saints could be at a disadvantage after losing DT Sheldon Rankins to a torn Achilles tendon last week. They’ll require steady production from their best linebacker, Demario Davis (56) who led the Saints with 110 tackles this season, and strong play from the D-line. But the Rams bring a staunch blocking unit featuring LT Andrew Whitworth (77), LG Rodger Saffold (76) and RT Rob Havenstein (79).Should LA control the trenches, it will open up what already is a highly creative passing repertoire for Jared Goff (16) and wideouts Robert Woods (17), Brandin Cooks (12) and rapidly developing Josh Reynolds (83). All of them can find the end zone, with Cooks being the main deep threat. A former Saint, he’ll likely match up with CB Marshon Lattimore (23), who had two interceptions against Philadelphia.Teams can throw deep on New Orleans Jachai Polite Jersey , and the Rams will try. Goff, though, will need protection from pass rushers Cam Jordan (93), Marcus Davenport (91) and the always-present Davis. And Goff must not let the noise factor affect him.WHEN NEW ORLEANS HAS THE BALLJust like LA, New Orleans will try nearly anything on offense. Fourth-down plays, a form of the wildcat with backup QB/special teamer Taysom Hill, and old-fashioned grinding will be in play.Brees (9) has had one of the best seasons of his Hall of Fame-caliber career, particularly with his efficiency. Last week, though, it was his leadership that stood out as the Saints fell into a 14-0 hole and looked amateurish before rallying.Knowing New Orleans will need lots of points in this one, Brees could target All-Pro WR Michael Thomas (13) as often as he did against Philly, which was 16 times. Thomas caught 12 and had a TD. He will be the problem of standout CBs Aqib Talib (21) and Marcus Peters (22), both of them willing to gamble in coverage.The Saints don’t have another outstanding wideout or tight end, but RB Kamara (41) almost equals Gurley for all the things he can do — and he’s healthier. Kamara and Ingram (22) will be challenged by a defense that shut down NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys and features the only unanimous All-Pro, DT Aaron Donald (99). Dealing with Donald and the other solid defensive linemen — Ndamukong Suh (93) and Michael Brockers (90) — will be a Saints unit led by LT Terron Armstead (71) and LG Andrus Peat (74), who have been bothered by chest and hand injuries Chuma Edoga Jersey , respectively, and RT Ryan Ramczyk (71). Giving Brees time and Kamara/Ingram holes could be decisive.SPECIAL TEAMSAn indoor game makes for stronger kicking and, often, less impact by placekickers and punters.LA PK Greg Zuerlein (4) and P Johnny Hekker (6) might have the most powerful legs in the league, and Zuerlein is a field-goal threat from 60 yards and in. Hekker probably could put a punt off the Superdome roof.Although Wil Lutz (3) missed a 52-yard FG attempt that kept the Eagles close last week, he’s reliable and, for someone in his third season, has hit a bunch of pressure kicks. Thomas Morstead (6) is in his 10th season with New Orleans, longer than anyone except Brees.The Rams aren’t exceptional on returns, but they aren’t inept, either. JoJo Natson (19) has handled most of the punt runbacks, while Blake Countess (24) is the kick returner.New Orleans, like the Rams, has not returned a kick for a score. Tommylee Lewis (11) has become the main guy.COACHINGSean vs. Sean. Two entirely different Seans in terms of experience.New Orleans’ Payton is in his 12th season in charge; he missed 2012 while suspended in the Saints’ bounties scandal. His offensive schemes fit perfectly with Brees’ skillset, and he won’t be overwhelmed by the surroundings, having won the 2009 championship. Payton will gamble Trevon Wesco Jersey , including fake punts with his version of a Swiss Army knife, third-string QB Taysom Hill (7).LA’s McVay is the hot commodity on the pro football market. Every team looking for a new head coach has at least investigated people who’ve worked with McVay, who will be 33 next Thursday. He’s innovative, aggressive and, in some ways, one of the guys.Because both Seans are willing to go for it, this should be a fun battle of wits.INTANGIBLESThe Rams have never won a Super Bowl while representing Los Angeles; they got one in 2000 as St. Louis’ team — that Super Bowl also was in Atlanta. Wade Phillips, while never one of the NFL’s great coaches, is one of the best defensive coordinators ever. He’s eager to prove so again in facing such a productive attack.Brees is closer to the end of his career than perhaps anyone in this game, though he’s given no indication he is about to retire. Winning a second Super Bowl would cement his place among the sport’s top quarterbacks. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Sam Darnold had his jersey and helmet back on, a positive sign for the New York Jets rookie quarterback.He still sat out team drills again Wednesday, making it more likely that he’ll miss his second straight game.Darnold suited up for practice for the first time since injuring his right foot nearly three weeks ago, and coach Todd Bowles said he’s progressing. But it’s uncertain if he’ll be healthy enough to play Sunday against New England.“Every single day, I feel like I’m progressing so much more and doing so much more, in terms of running Shareef Miller Jersey ,” Darnold said. “Hopefully I can do a little bit more (Thursday) and see where we go from there.”Darnold was injured at Miami on Nov. 4 and sat out the Jets’ next game against Buffalo on Nov. 11. Josh McCown started in his place and would do so again if Darnold is unable to play.“He’s getting better,” Bowles said of Darnold. “He’s progressing along. We’ll see how he is by Friday.”Darnold was in a walking boot for a few days leading up to the team’s game against Buffalo, and remained in sweats as an onlooker during the team’s past few practices before Wednesday.He appeared to have no restrictions during light warmups, but did not throw a pass during the 30-minute window the media are allowed to watch.The No. 3 overall draft pick leads the NFL with 14 interceptions and threw just two touchdown passes with seven INTs in the three games before the injury. Darnold’s struggles had some fans and media wondering if a break from playing could do him some good.“As a competitor, you always want to go out there and play and when you’re not doing that, you know, it (stinks),” Darnold said. “I always want to go out there and play, but at the same time I also want to be healthy. So, I think trying to manage those things is really the hardest thing for me and the hardest thing for me to understand, but I’ve just got to stay with the process and continue to work hard every single day to get back.”Darnold still has a chance to play if he can get in a practice or two during the next few days. While it’s rare for Bowles to have a player active despite not practicing all week, Darnold doesn’t think it would be an impossible task for him.“It will definitely be a little bit more of a challenge than if I were at practice the whole week, but I’ve been running this offense for a while now, for 10, 11 weeks,” he said. “I feel like I wouldn’t really miss a beat there. It would just be about getting the reps with the guys and throwing a little bit and getting my shoulder right.”If the 21-year-old Darnold starts against 41-year-old Tom Brady Zach Brown Jersey , it would mark the largest age gap between starting quarterbacks — 19 years, 306 days — since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.Consider this: When Brady made his NFL debut for the Patriots in November 2000, Darnold was only 3.“I think consistency is the biggest thing with him,” Darnold said of Brady. “His whole time playing, he’s been so consistent, so I think that’s the biggest thing for me, looking at it from afar.”NOTES: WR Robby Anderson (ankle) did not practice and wasn’t on the field — not a good sign for a player who also had a bye-week break. Anderson didn’t play against Buffalo and could sit out for the third time in four games. “He’s sore, but he’s coming along,” Bowles said, adding that there’s no thought yet of shutting Anderson down for the rest of the season. … Also sitting out practice were: S Marcus Maye (shoulder/thumb), LG James Carpenter (shoulder) and LB Brandon Copeland (elbow). WR Quincy Enunwa (ankle) was limited.