Kobie Turner made a clutch defensive play, stopping Taysom Hill with a shoestring tackle on fourth down to end the Saints’ drive and give the Rams possession
This moment was a highlight of the matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints. Turner, a rising star on the Rams’ defensive line, showed both awareness and athleticism by tracking Hill—who is known for his versatility and power running—and bringing him down just short of the marker.
Why This Play Mattered
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Game Situation: It came on a fourth-down attempt, meaning the Saints were gambling to extend their drive. Turner’s stop immediately flipped momentum back to the Rams.
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Shoestring Technique: Hill is notoriously difficult to tackle because of his size and speed. Turner’s ability to grab just enough of his legs to bring him down showed excellent fundamentals and persistence.
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Momentum Shift: Defensive stops on fourth down are often as impactful as turnovers. This one energized the Rams’ sideline and fans, while frustrating the Saints’ offense.
Kobie Turner’s Impact
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Turner has quickly become a
key contributor on the Rams’ defensive front, complementing veterans and adding youthful energy. -
Plays like this highlight his football IQ—recognizing Hill’s run—and his motor, never giving up on the play until the whistle.
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After the stop, Turner even celebrated with a nod to Los Angeles culture, breaking out a Dodgers-inspired celebration.
Taysom Hill’s Role
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Hill is often used in short-yardage and gadget plays
because of his unique skill set as a tight end, quarterback, and runner. -
The Saints trusted him in this high-pressure moment, but Turner’s tackle showed how prepared the Rams’ defense was for his versatility.
Saints have a young weapon they’re not using (and it’s costing the offense)
New Orleans Saints rookie running back Devin Neal was supposed to be spending his first season in the National Football League watching and learning. However, with running back Kendre Miller out for the year with a torn ACL, Neal is the next man up.
Hobbled by a hamstring injury during training camp, Neal missed some crucial training camp practices and even two preseason games. Nonetheless, the coaching staff was impressed with what they saw and kept him on the 53-man roster as the third halfback on the depth chart.
Neal has effectively been the Saints' second running back for about a game and a half now but has yet to record more than two rushing attempts in that span. Heading into week nine, the running back has the same number of receptions as he does rush attempts in his NFL career.
Saints need to give Devin Neal the ball more (or at all) against the Rams
Last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Devin Neal saw zero rush attempts. Zero. Nada. A goose egg, if you will. That has to change if the Saints want any chance against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday.
The team has to get the run game established, lest they put too much pressure on the rookie quarterback making his first start. Running back Alvin Kamara, a seven-year NFL veteran, can't be expected to take literally all of the carries next week; his body wouldn't be able to keep up at this point in his career. That's why they have to turn to Neal.
While Neal has very little NFL experience, it's not like he doesn't know what he's doing. He currently is the all-time leader in career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, scrimmage touchdowns, and 100-yard rushing games at his alma mater, Kansas. The potential for Neal to do great things in the NFL is there, ripe for the taking; it's just up to the Saints if they want to use it or not. For the rookie running back, the time is now.
