A lot is on the line tonight in the first game of Week 16. The New Orleans Saints travel to face the Los Angeles Rams in a battle of 7-7 teams both vying for a spot in the postseason.
After up-down-seasons for both, the two sides have put together solid performances over the past month. New Orleans is 2-0 in its past two games after close losses in its previous two. The Saints also haven’t allowed a touchdown in those wins while the offense scored at least 24 points in both.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, is 4-1 since its Week 10 bye, with the only loss coming in overtime against the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens in Week 15. Apart from the 37 points they allowed to the Ravens, the Rams haven’t allowed more than 20 points during its red-hot stretch.
Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is reportedly a 50-50 shot to play Week 16 after he missed Week 15 with an ankle injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The second-year wideout is on the cusp of his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season with 72 passes for 918 yards and touchdowns in 13 games this season. But if Olave can’t go, look for Rashid Shaheed to once again assume WR1 duties for New Orleans. He’s caught 36 receptions for 570 yards and three touchdowns this season.
On the other side of the ball, veteran receiver Cooper Kupp is heating up in the final month of the regular season. Kupp has back-to-back games with eight receptions for more than 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. He’s tallied 49 total catches for 658 yards and four touchdowns despite playing in only 10 games this season.
LIVE: Follow Rams vs. Saints updates from ‘Thursday Night Football’
Olave’s, Shaheed’s and Kupp’s marks are testaments to offensive scheme and quarterback play, but now each will face a tough defense. The Saints haven’t given up more than 205 passing yards in a game since Week 10 and haven’t given up a passing touchdown since Week 13. The Rams haven’t been quite as stout, but they’ve allowed just one quarterback to throw for more than 300 passing yards this season – the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson.
This game has huge playoff implications as well. The Saints can inch closer to a divisional title or wildcard berth with a win, while the Rams need this victory to help their own wildcard push.
Here’s what you need to know about Thursday’s Week 16 clash between the Saints and Rams, including the broadcast information and start time for the game.
What time is the NFL game tonight?
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 21
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Saints vs. Rams will kick off around 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 21. The game will be played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Every “Thursday Night Football” game will have that kickoff time for the 2023 NFL season.
What channel is ‘Thursday Night Football’ on tonight?
Saints vs. Rams will air on Amazon Prime Video nationally in the U.S. Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the booth for the Amazon Prime Video broadcast, and Kaylee Hartung will be reporting live from the sideline.
Viewers in Canada can watch Saints vs. Rams on DAZN.
New Orleans Saints schedule 2023
| Week | Date | Opponent/Result | Kickoff time (ET) | TV channel |
| 1 | Sept. 10 | Saints 16, Titans 15 | — | — |
| 2 | Sept. 18 | Saints 20, Panthers 17 | — | — |
| 3 | Sept. 24 | Packers 18, Saints 17 | — | — |
| 4 | Oct. 1 | Buccaneers 26, Saints 9 | — | — |
| 5 | Oct. 8 | Saints 34, Patriots 0 | — | — |
| 6 | Oct. 15 | Texans 20, Saints 13 | — | — |
| 7 | Oct. 19 | Jaguars 31, Saints 24 | — | — |
| 8 | Oct. 29 | Saints 38, Colts 27 | — | — |
| 9 | Nov. 5 | Saints 24, Bears 17 | — | — |
| 10 | Nov. 12 | Vikings 27, Saints 19 | — | — |
| 11 | BYE | |||
| 12 | Nov. 26 | Falcons 24, Saints 15 | — | — |
| 13 | Dec. 3 | Lions 33, Saints 28 | — | — |
| 14 | Dec. 10 | Saints 28, Panthers 6 | — | — |
| 15 | Dec. 17 | Saints 24, Giants 6 | — | — |
| 16 | Dec. 21 | at Rams | 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video |
| 17 | Dec. 31 | at Buccaneers | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| 18 | Jan. 7 | vs. Falcons | TBD | TBD |
Los Angeles Rams schedule 2023
| Week | Date | Opponent/Result | Kickoff time (ET) | TV channel |
| 1 | Sept. 10 | Rams 30, Seahawks 13 | — | — |
| 2 | Sept. 17 | 49ers 30, Rams 23 | — | — |
| 3 | Sept. 25 | Bengals 19, Rams 16 | — | — |
| 4 | Oct. 1 | Rams 29, Colts 23 OT | — | — |
| 5 | Oct. 8 | Eagles 23, Rams 14 | — | — |
| 6 | Oct. 15 | Rams 26, Cardinals 9 | — | — |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | Rams 24, Steelers 17 | — | — |
| 8 | Oct. 29 | Cowboys 43, Rams 20 | — | — |
| 9 | Nov. 5 | Packers 20, Rams 3 | — | — |
| 10 | BYE | — | — | — |
| 11 | Nov. 19 | Seahawks 17, Rams 16 | — | — |
| 12 | Nov. 26 | Rams 37, Cardinals 14 | — | — |
| 13 | Dec. 3 | Rams 36, Browns 19 | — | — |
| 14 | Dec. 10 | Ravens 37, Rams 31 OT | — | — |
| 15 | Dec. 17 | Rams 28, Commanders 20 | ||
| 16 | Dec. 21 | vs. Saints | 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video |
| 17 | Dec. 31 | at Giants | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 18 | Jan. 7 | at 49ers | TBD | TBD |