NEW ORLEANS – Behind timely playmaking on offense and defense, and running back Kyren Williams' second 100-yard rushing game of the season, the Rams (6-6) moved to .500 on the season with a 21-14 win over the Saints (4-8) on Sunday at Caesars Superdome.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw the go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Puka Nacua with 8:54 left in the fourth quarter.

Then the Saints got the ball back and erased more than seven and a half minutes on the ensuing drive, taking the ball all the way down to the Rams 9-yard line. However, their potential game-tying drive was denied by Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse bringing pressure from Saints quarterback Derek Carr's blindside, getting a hand on the ball to cause the incompletion.

The Rams overcame their first, first-half shutout since December 11, 2016 against the Falcons – and just the the second ever under head coach Sean McVay – en route to the victory, outscoring the Saints 21-8 in the second half.

Williams had 15 carries for 104 yards and one touchdown in the win.

Here is the complete game recap:

The Rams almost had a 58-yard fumble return for a touchdown by defensive end Braden Fiske on a forced fumble by defensive end Kobie Turner on the opening drive; however, it was ruled an incomplete pass upon further review. Still, the Saints had to settle for 54-yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead.

After Los Angeles went 3-and-out on its first offensive series, New Orleans moved inside the L.A. 20 on its second drive. That series had a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Derek Carr to running back Alvin Kamara wiped out by an ineligible man downfield penalty, and was further set back by an illegal low block penalty. The Saints ultimately came up empty after missing a 36-yard field goal attempt wide left at the beginning of the second quarter.

Following the missed field goal, the Rams leaned heavily on running back Blake Corum and the ground game to move the ball with greater effectiveness. While the series was kept alive by one fourth down conversion via QB sneak, it was undone by the second after Stafford's incomplete deep pass intended for Kupp on 4th and 4.

Leaning on the run again on their third offensive series, the Rams again moved the ball efficiently, with five consecutive runs by Kyren Williams to open the series. However, a long-developing play that resulted in Stafford getting sacked for an 8-yard loss on 1st and 10 from the Saints 49 was too great of a setback, ultimately forcing the Rams to punt at the end of that drive.

The Saints added another 54-yard field goal by Grupe to take a 6-0 lead into halftime.

The Rams again leaned on the run at the start of the second half, and, powered by Williams, took a 7-6 lead midway through the third quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run by Williams.

A drive that began with three-straight explosive plays – a 19-yard completion to wide receiver Tutu Atwell, 14-yard run by Williams and 46-yard completion to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson – ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Robinson early in the fourth quarter.

The Saints wasted no time responding, as Carr connected with wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 28-yard touchdown pass, then wide receiver Dante Pettis on the ensuing 2-point attempt, to tie the game 14-14 with 11:53 remaining.

Buoyed by a 43-yard kickoff return by wide receiver Jordan Whittington, Stafford opened the ensuing drive with a 20-yard completion to Atwell to move the Rams into Saints territory. A defensive pass interference penalty drawn by wide receiver Puka Nacua set up the Rams inside the Saints 10-yard line, and from there, the Rams regained the lead 21-14 with 8:54 left on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Nacua.

The Saints reached the Rams' 9 with 1:13 to play on the ensuing drive. Then Verse called game with his blindside pressure on 4th down to secure the victory.