The New Orleans Saints (0-1) and Los Angeles Rams (1-0) will face off in Week 2 of the NFL preseason. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The game will broadcast live on ESPN App.
The Saints are favored by -2.5 on the spread with the over/under set at 37.5 total points. New Orleans is a 60% favorite to win outright, while Los Angeles is 40% to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Saints vs Rams predictions and NFL picks for Saturday, August 22.
My Saints vs Rams Prediction
- Saints vs Rams pick: Rams 40%
My Saints vs Rams best bet is on Los Angeles to win outright, with the best price currently available at Kalshi. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Saints vs Rams Odds
Saints vs Rams NFL Preseason Preview
New Orleans Saints Betting Preview
After finishing their 2025 campaign with a 6-11 overall record in head coach Kellen Moore’s first season in New Orleans, the Saints were quite busy this past offseason, largely focusing on adding some offensive weapons to surround QB Tyler Shough.
They signed former Jaguars RB Travis Etienne to a 4-year, $48 million contract to play alongside longtime Saints RB Alvin Kamara in what should be a very explosive backfield.
They also secured WR Chris Olave on a massive contract extension worth up to $124 million over four years, while selecting WR Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State with the 8th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The Saints also drafted North Dakota State product WR Bryce Lance in the fourth round, looking to surround Shough with even more playmakers to line up opposite Olave and Tyson.
Former Broncos TE Noah Fant, who was brought in on a 2-year, $6.2 million deal, should be quite effective both as a receiver and a blocker.
Fant was one of several moves aimed at protecting New Orleans’ young QB. The front office also brought in former Bills guard David Edwards to a four-year deal with $45 million guaranteed, in addition to a substantial signing bonus.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Saints brought in LB Kaden Elliss, who should be a solid replacement for the departure of OLB Demario Davis, who signed with the Jets.
Another addition was veteran QB Zach Wilson to back up Shough — the former Jet played several series in the team’s first preseason loss to Jacksonville last week.
New Orleans enters this matchup vs. the Rams as a 60% favorite to prevail on Kalshi.
Los Angeles Rams Betting Preview
While the Saints were quite busy this past offseason, the same can't be said of the Rams, who only made a few moves to improve their defense.
In a decision that seemed to shock head coach Sean McVay, the front office drafted Alabama QB Ty Simpson with the 13th overall selection in the NFL Draft. This left most scouts puzzled, as veteran QB Matthew Stafford is coming off a phenomenal campaign that earned him MVP honors.
In likely the most notable transactions in the entire offseason, the Rams traded for Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie towards the end of the first round in the draft, with Kansas City receiving a few picks in exchange. The Rams then acquired superstar Myles Garrett from the Browns, trading away Jared Verse and draft compensation.
The McDuffie acquisition was one of a few moves to improve their secondary, with CB Jaylen Watson and Safety Kam Curl both signing offseason deals as well.
McVay’s bunch impressed in the first game of their preseason schedule with a 20-12 victory over the Chiefs, with Simpson completing 21-of-25 pass attempts for 190 yards and two TDs.
Former Georgia QB Stetson Bennett IV also received plenty of reps in his capacity as the third-string QB heading into the regular season.
Los Angeles currently sits as a 40% underdog on Kalshi to win Saturday’s matchup, despite the Rams' secondary units largely impressing this past weekend.
Saints vs Rams Prediction, Betting Analysis
I am beyond confused by the Saints’ standing as a sizable betting favorite ahead of this matchup with the Rams.
Despite New Orleans' activity over the offseason, the Rams looked far more impressive in Week 1 of the preseason, which is one reason I prefer backing Los Angeles as a value play.
In a matchup I think should be far closer to a PK, I'm willing to take a chance on trading the Rams at 40% on Kalshi.
Pick: Rams 40%
