Rams Looking at a Chance to Get Better Than Even : Pro football: Unbeaten Saints will seek their seventh consecutive victory over L.A.

The Rams are closing in on history, which explains in part why the team fell about 20,000 tickets shy of selling out Anaheim Stadium today.

There hasn’t been much to cheer about here in recent years, but for the first time since 1989, the Rams have the chance to top the .500 mark.

A victory today would give the Rams as many victories as they had in the entire 1991 season. It would also give the team its first back-to-back victories since Oct. 13, 1991.

A victory today would put the Rams a game behind the NFC West Division leaders after playing three of their first five games on the road.

The only problem: the undefeated New Orleans Saints, who have defeated the Rams six consecutive times and who have not lost in Anaheim Stadium since 1986.

“I think right now they are the best football team in the National Football League,” Ram Coach Chuck Knox said. “I say that because they are playing winning football. They are not making mistakes, they are not beating themselves and they’ve got a quarterback in Wade Wilson who is just doing an outstanding job.

“And when you’re No. 2 in the National Football League in rushing and No. 6 overall offensively, that tells a lot about your offense. And defensively those guys can play. Take a look at their kicking game and those guys can create field position. . . . So they’re solid in all three areas and that’s why they are 4-0.”

Jim Everett made his starting debut for the Rams on Nov. 23, 1986, and that was the last time the Saints lost in Anaheim Stadium. The good news for the Rams: The last time the Saints lost here, they had a quarterback named Wilson.

Dave Wilson is no longer in the NFL, but 34-year-old Wade Wilson has the Saints on a roll.

“Wade Wilson has been around, but he’s played well everywhere he’s been,” Knox said. “He’s still got an excellent arm, and he’s got great touch. He can feel the blitz coming and will stay there and release the ball at the very last minute. Guys can be all over him and he’s completing passes.”

Wilson started for the Atlanta Falcons against the Rams in last season’s finale, a 38-27 Ram victory, and completed 31 of 47 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions. Wilson, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, has completed 67 of 113 passes for 816 yards for the Saints with five touchdowns and one interception.

“We were just watching the Rams on film,” Wilson said. “The thing that looks different from previous years is their front four on defense is really attacking and getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback. It’s the most impressive I’ve seen the Rams’ defense in quite a while.”

The Rams have 17 sacks and will be matched against an offensive line that has surrendered seven. But that offensive line has provided the blocking for a running game that has averaged 5.4 yards.

The Saints’ defense has an NFC-high 11 take-aways.

“This is the best group we will have played against,” said Irv Eatman, Ram tackle. “However, I still do believe they are human. At least that’s what I’m telling myself in the hopes we can find some weakness somewhere.”

The Saints lead the league in sacks with 19. Linebacker Renaldo Turnbull, who replaced Everett’s nemesis, Pat Swilling, is tied with Ram defensive end Robert Young for the NFL individual lead with seven.

“They are very disciplined,” Eatman said. “Some teams will gamble or take chances and be vulnerable to the big play, but if you’re going to beat a Jim Mora defense, you’re going to have to beat them honestly.”

The Rams held their ground against the blitzing Oilers a week ago and piled up 374 yards in total offense in a 28-13 victory.

“I’ve been very impressed with the Rams,” Saint Coach Mora said. “I think they are a much better team than last year on both sides of the ball.”

After their 16-13 victory over the 49ers, might the Saints be ripe for an emotional letdown against the Rams?

“We hope not,” Wilson said. “That’s the one thing that has been stressed to us. That (San Francisco) game wouldn’t mean a whole lot if we go out and blow it to the Rams.”