The Los Angeles Rams came up with a huge Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, thumping the Saints by a score of 27-9 behind an unusually stout defensive performance.
While many saw this as a revenge game for New Orleans following its devastating loss to Los Angeles in the NFC Championship Game last January, the Rams obviously weren't bothered at all, as they easily dispatched Sean Payton and Co. and improved to 2-0 on the season.
Of course, Drew Brees threw just five passes before leaving with an injury, but this was still a big win for LA regardless.
So, here are the three biggest takeaways from the Rams' Week 2 victory.
3. Cooper Kupp Is Just Fine
Cooper Kupp tore his ACL midway through last season, ending what could have been a 1,000-yard campaign for the wide receiver.
Many wondered if Kupp would ever be the same again after the injury, and people certainly questioned just how long it would take Kupp to get his sea legs, especially this early in his first season back.
Well, we can probably stop worrying now.
After catching seven passes for 46 yards in the season opener, Kupp hauled in five receptions for 120 yards during the Rams' win on Sunday, easing any doubts that the 26-year-old would be able to recover.
An already lethal Rams aerial attack just became that much deadlier.
2. The Rams Have a Plan for the Running Game
Todd Gurley carried the ball 14 times for 97 yards in Week 1, and on Sunday, he rushed 16 times for 63 yards and a touchdown.
While the former effort was obviously the more efficient one, it seems that Sean McVay and the coaching staff have a plan in place for Gurley, which consists of keeping him around 15 carries and giving Malcolm Brown the rest of the burn.
Brown, who carried the ball 11 times for 53 yards and a couple of scores last week, totaled 37 yards off six attempts against the Saints.
Meanwhile, rookie running back Darrell Henderson seems to be an afterthought. At least right now, anyway.
The point is that the Rams seem to have remained confident in Gurley in spite of his knee issues from a year ago, and they also seem to think highly of Brown, whom they signed to replace C.J. Anderson this offseason.
1. The Defense Looks Improved
It's still early, and I know Brees barely even played in this contest, but the Rams' defense is already looking better than it did last season.
Remember: Los Angeles made a couple of additions to its defense this offseason, adding veterans such as Clay Matthews (who recorded a sack on Sunday) and Eric Weddle.
There are some talented pieces here, such as perennial All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald and edge rusher Dante Fowler, so if the Rams can just put it all together, they could end up having a decent defense.
Again, I don't want to go too crazy, because the Saints without Brees is not a great measuring stick, but it's also not like Teddy Bridgewater is a scrub, so Los Angeles deserves plenty of credit here.
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