In a highly anticipated matchup, the New Orleans Saints will face off against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football. Both teams are currently sitting at 7-7 and are fighting for a spot in the NFC Wild Card race. A loss for either team would be devastating to their playoff hopes.

One player to watch in this game is Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Despite not expecting a high-scoring game, Kupp is a favorite target due to the matchup between the Rams' offense and the Saints' defense. The Saints have allowed the fewest targets to players lined up wide this season, but have given up the highest target percentage to players in the slot position. Kupp, who runs the majority of his routes from the slot, has been on fire since returning from an ankle injury. In the last three weeks, he has caught 22 receptions on 26 targets. With the playoffs on the line, expect Rams coach Sean McVay to heavily involve Kupp in the game plan.

On the Saints' side, running back Alvin Kamara will be a key player to watch. Although the Saints' rushing attack has struggled this season, Kamara has been a reliable weapon. The Rams, however, have been weak against the run in the first quarter of games. In the opening quarter, they give up an average of five yards per carry and have a 39% stuff rate. Kamara should see plenty of early touches in this crucial game, and the data suggests that he will have success against the Rams' defense.

Another player to keep an eye on is Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. Although he had a disappointing performance last week, Shaheed has the potential to contribute significantly in this game. He ran a team-leading 76% of routes in his last outing and has been effective against zone coverage this season. While the Rams don't play a significant amount of zone, they do play the 11th-most in the league, giving Shaheed a chance to make an impact.

As for the overall matchup, both teams are in the midst of a playoff push. The Rams have won four of their last five games and look like a different team with Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams back at full health. As a small favorite, the Rams are the favored side in this matchup.

For bettors, there are several prop bets to consider. One intriguing option is Alvin Kamara going over his receiving yards line of 29.5. Kamara has been a reliable receiving option for the Saints, averaging at least 33 receiving yards in nine of 11 games this season. Against the Rams, who play zone coverage at a high rate, Kamara has been effective and should continue to be a key target for quarterback Derek Carr.

Overall, this Thursday night matchup between the Saints and Rams has significant playoff implications for both teams. Cooper Kupp, Alvin Kamara, and Rashid Shaheed are players to watch as they could have a major impact on the outcome of the game. With the Rams slight favorites, this game has the potential to be a high-scoring affair. Bettors should keep an eye on prop bets involving Kamara, who has been a consistent receiving threat for the Saints.