One of the most anticipated games on the Rams’ 2019 schedule is their rematch with the New Orleans Saints. After splitting the series last season – the Rams did win the more important game (NFC championship), albeit in controversial fashion – all eyes will be on Rams-Saints in Week 3 at the Coliseum.
Players and fans can’t wait for that matchup and with it being so early in the season, there will be no lack of anticipation heading into the game. John Johnson, for one, is glad the schedule-makers put Saints-Rams at the start of the season rather than towards the end. He doesn’t want to face New Orleans when it’s in midseason form.
“I’m kind of happy it’s early, I’m going to be honest with you,” Johnson said on NFL Network this week. “A team like that in midseason form is a tough battle. Playing in that dome definitely makes it tougher, so being that early at home, it’s definitely in our favor, but it’s going to be a great game. You know the history just within the past two years that we have, so it’s going to be a great game. I’m looking forward to it.”
Back in April, Aqib Talib said something similar. He said he wanted the rematch with the Saints to be in Week 1, preferring it be under the bright lights of prime time. He didn’t get his wish, but Week 3 isn’t far off.
That’s not exactly the sentiment Cameron Jordan expressed earlier this offseason, saying he wanted to “get a couple games in” before facing the Rams. He wanted it to be Week 5 or 6, but it looks like the league split the difference of each player’s wishes and made it the third game of the season.
Regardless of whether the game was set for Week 3 or Week 13, there were going to be huge implications no matter what.
