Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 49ers surge in Week 3, while Saints fall

By Peter Panacy

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Richie James #13 and Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after Goodwin made a catch for a first down in the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Richie James #13 and Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after Goodwin made a catch for a first down in the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams motions to teammates in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams motions to teammates in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

2-0. Previous: . Los Angeles Rams. 3. team. 51.

W, 27-9 vs. Saints

So much for an all-out shootout between the Rams and Saints.

Granted, this game could have gone a lot differently if Drew Brees didn’t exit early with a hand injury. But the Rams weren’t particularly concerned about that, simply wanting to reassure their win in the 2019 NFC Championship game was a legitimate one.

Based off Week 2’s results at the Los Angeles Coliseum, it was.

Running back Todd Gurley had to be used only sporadically, which is probably best. Head coach Sean McVay would be wise to save Gurley for a late-season push into the playoffs. Instead, slot receiver Cooper Kupp made his impact known, catching five passes from quarterback Jared Goff for 120 yards.

Goff went 19-of-28 for 283 yards and a touchdown during the game, while also adding another on the ground.

For the most part, though, L.A.’s defense did the trick, making Brees’ backup, Teddy Bridgewater, uncomfortable for the majority of his reps. The Rams held Saints running back Alvin Kamara in check for the most part, too.

As a result, the Rams rise up to the No. 3 spot in our NFL power rankings ahead of Week 3.