Boucher said after the game that Ottawa knew Methot was dealing

NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees agrees, desperation time has set in for the New Orleans Saints.That didnt mean the record-setting quarterback was about to switch up his routine as he prepared for the Los Angeles Rams (4-6) , who need a victory just as urgently as the Saints (4-6) do when the former divisional rivals from the pre-2002 NFC West meet in New Orleans on Sunday.Typically, we say the most desperate team wins, Brees said. Do I begin to do a bunch of different things? No, I dont. I do the same thing because I feel like my thought process is one that I have honed in on for a long time and it works.After all, Brees led the NFL in passing through 10 games. But he also has played a role in his teams recent turnover epidemic.The Saints turned over the ball four times and had a late-game, point-after kick blocked and returned for a defensive 2-point conversion in a 25-23 loss to Denver in Week 10. Last week, New Orleans had two more turnovers -- plus a blocked field goal that set up a Carolina touchdown -- in a 23-20 loss to the Panthers . Brees has thrown two interceptions and lost a fumble in that stretch.Unfortunately, weve had those stretches where its been one play here, one play there or just some really costly mistakes where we know better, Brees said. Mistakes are going to be made, but understand the ones that are going to get you beat. Avoid those and focus on all of the positive things that we can do, because, certainly, were capable of a lot.The Rams, whove lost five of six, made a major change last week when they chose to start rookie QB Jared Goff, drafted first overall in the spring. Los Angeles lost 14-10 to Miami , the Rams fourth straight loss by a touchdown or less, and now Goff is slated to make his first road start. He doesnt sound too worried about the environment in the Superdome.It will be loud. Thats about it, Goff said.Rams coach Jeff Fisher said he could see Goffs growth accelerating in practice this week.Hes got a really good feel for it, Fisher said. Hes putting it down the field and doing some good things. Hes in complete control of what were doing. ... Its very encouraging.Meanwhile, Goff scoffed at the notion that by playing him now over veteran Case Keenum, the Rams have shifted their focus to the future and away from making a playoff push this season.I dont hear that, around Rams headquarters, Goff said. We are trying to win each game ... and still have a chance to make a run here -- and its not too late and we can do some special things.Goffs assertion is one story line in this game. Here are some others:COMPETITIVE REUNION: Saints coach Sean Payton, who designs New Orleans offense, faces his former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, for the first time since firing him at the end of the 2011 season. Both coaches were banned from the NFL in 2012 as a result of the leagues bounty probe into New Orleans off-the-books cash-for-hits locker room pool while Williams was with the club. The Saints have had only one playoff season (2013) since. Current Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was Williams secondary coach when the 2009 Saints won the Super Bowl.BREES CHALLENGE: The Rams pass defense ranks sixth in the league, with starting cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and E.J. Gaines benefiting from a versatile, deep pass rush. After getting beaten for touchdowns on the Dolphins final two drives of an otherwise dominant game, the Rams relish the chance to redeem themselves against Brees and the productive New Orleans offense.Hes one of the best in the business, so you welcome that challenge, Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree said. As a competitor, you welcome the best of the best.STUCK IN NEUTRAL: The Rams running game continues to be their biggest offensive problem. Todd Gurley, the 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year, is averaging a measly 3.2 yards per carry behind an inconsistent, penalty-plagued offensive line, leaving the Rams 29th in the league with just 84.5 yards per game on the ground. Fisher refused to say whether hell make changes to his line this week, but left tackle Greg Robinson is under scrutiny after committing a key blocking penalty in last weeks loss.CLOSE CALLS: Both teams appear to be a few bad plays away from having considerably better records at this point. New Orleans has lost five games by six or fewer points, and four by a field goal or less. The Rams past four losses have come by a touchdown or less, including three by four or fewer points.CAL PRIDE?: Saints defensive end Cam Jordan said hes met Goff during visits to both players alma mater, Cal-Berkeley, during the past couple years. Grinning deviously, Jordan added that he would like to welcome him to what constant pressure is, and will love hitting Goff.I look forward to playing my guys, Jordan said. Well be friends afterward.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham in Los Angeles contributed to this report. Myles Garrett Browns Jersey . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Nick Chubb Jersey . On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Austin-Seibert-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. Jarvis Landry Womens Jersey . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Sione Takitaki Womens Jersey . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. OTTAWA, Ontario -- For a team playing its third game in four nights, the Minnesota Wild looked plenty fresh on Sunday night -- even in overtime.Matt Dumba scored late in the extra session and Darcy Kuemper stopped 35 shots, helping Minnesota beat the Ottawa Senators 2-1.The Wild were coming off a 3-2 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday after beating Pittsburgh on Thursday.Its not the end of the world to play back-to-backs, and I thought we held on and did a good job, Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said.Ryan Suter scored a short-handed goal in the first period and Kuemper helped the Wild kill off three early power plays.Were not a team that wants to get behind 3-0, so getting those three kills and getting out of the first period with a lead was really important for us Id say, Boudreau said.Craig Anderson made 40 saves and was again solid for the Senators, who got a goal from Kyle Turris 5:06 into the third period. Ottawa has 11 goals over its last eight games and are 1 for 24 on the power play.I love the way were playing, were giving ourselves a chance to win by being there at the end, Anderson said. The positive out of not scoring right now is that even though guys might be showing some frustration, theyre still doing their jobs on the defensive side of the puck which is allowing us to get points and give ourselves an opportunity to be in each game.Despite their hectic schedule of late, the Wild controlled much of the action with Ottawa looking disorganized for most of the night.We had all kinds of scoring chances, but we just cant find the back of the net, Senators coach Guy Boucher said.dddddddddddd Its a matter of creating the same chances and then having some go in and youre able to relax and not grip the stick so tight.Turris finally got Ottawa on the board when he beat Kuemper far stick-side with a wrist shot.Bouchers decision to dress seven defenseman worked out when Marc Methot left after the first period with a lower-body injury and did not return. Boucher said after the game that Ottawa knew Methot was dealing with an issue, which is why the Senators used an extra defender.Suter scored late in the first and Ottawa continued to struggle in the second, leaving Anderson to keep the team in the game. He made huge saves on Nino Niederreiter and Erik Staal to keep it 1-0.The Senators had four power-play opportunities and struggled to create offense, a common refrain for the team as of late.The Wild made the Senators power play look even worse when they scored short-handed. Staal got off a shot and Suter was there for the rebound.Game notes LW Matt Puempel was a late healthy scratch for the Senators. ... Minnesota LW Zach Parise (lower body) missed his sixth straight game. C Joel Eriksson and D Nate Prosser were a healthy scratch.UP NEXTWild: Host Calgary on Tuesday night.Senators: Play at Philadelphia on Tuesday night. ' ' '