The Rams defense focused on wrapping up the Saints after they were burned by the Eagles

The Rams knew what was coming — and couldn’t stop it — when Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley embarrassed them with the best performance of his career last week.

But at least the way the Eagles used Barkley was predictable. On Sunday it is not yet possible to predict exactly how the New Orleans Saints will use Taysom Hill.

The Saints’ utility man plays tight end, receiver, running back and quarterback – and he’s putting in the best performance of his career.

Read more: Rams vs. New Orleans Saints: How to watch the game, prediction and betting odds

In a win over the Cleveland Browns on November 17, Hill rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard run. He caught eight passes for 50 yards and also completed one pass.

“They make great use of his versatile skill set that really makes him an X-factor,” Rams coach Sean McVay said, adding, “He was one of those guys that when he gets into a rhythm and a groove he can be . “It’s a real nightmare to defend yourself.”

The Saints signed the 6-foot-2, 221-pound Hill in 2017 after undrafted free agent tight end Brigham Young was released by the Green Bay Packers. And his role has evolved.

Hill’s performance against the Browns was key to the Saints’ second straight win since Dennis Allen was fired as coach and replaced by special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.

The Saints have an open date, so the Rams (5-6) will face a rested Hill.

“You kind of have to keep an eye on wherever he is,” Rams edge rusher Jared Verse said.

Hill isn’t the only weapon for a 4-7 team that continues to fight for a playoff spot despite Allen’s firing and the injury absences of receiver/kick returner Rashid Shaheed and receiver Chris Olave.

Like Barkley, running back Alvin Kamara is a dual threat. Eighth-year pro Kamara has scored six touchdowns and leads the team with 55 receptions, including one for a touchdown.

Read more: How becoming a father helped convince Sean McVay to remain the Rams’ head coach

“Once he breaks the line and has space, he’s one of the scariest guys in the NFL,” Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula said, “just like we saw last week.”

Quarterback Derek Carr, who missed three games in October with an oblique injury, has performed well in consecutive wins over the Atlanta Falcons and Browns. Carr managed two touchdowns without an interception in each of the wins.

“He’s crafty when you allow him to extend plays,” McVay said. “If he gets hot, you’re in big trouble.”

Read more: NFL Tips for Week 13: Can the Chargers and Rams get back to winning ways in Atlanta, New Orleans?

Under McVay, the Rams experienced both pain and joy in the building now known as Caesars Superdome.

In the 2018-19 season, the Rams were 8-0 before suffering a loss to the Saints in early November. Two months later, in the NFC Championship Game, the Rams defeated the Saints in overtime to advance to Super Bowl LIII.

The Rams last visited the Superdome in 2022. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was evaluated for a concussion and suffered a season-ending spinal contusion in a loss that epitomized the Rams’ historic hangover from their victory in Super Bowl LVI.

The Rams haven’t looked like a Super Bowl contender often this season. However, they remain in contention due to a mediocre NFC West that includes the Seattle Seahawks (6-5) and Arizona Cardinals (6-5) as well as the San Francisco 49ers (5-6). The Rams will play all three down the stretch.

Read more: Three NFC West games are key to the Rams’ path to the division title

McVay and his players and assistants have talked about not looking too far ahead. And there’s no way they can look back. Barkley rushed for 255 yards and scored two runs of 70 yards or more. The Eagles finished with 481 yards.

The Rams spent the week fixing mistakes and moving forward, Shula said.

“I just call it, ‘Put your face in the fan and get what needs to be corrected,'” he said. “Take responsibility for what you have to do and let’s move on.” … Just because we obviously had an unfortunate evening and didn’t live up to our potential and didn’t play well at all doesn’t mean you can change everything must.”

Shula noted that the defense also played well in several games.

“We know what it looks like,” he said, “now we just have to do it consistently.”

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.