Who has edge in battle of elite offenses between Rams, Saints?

The Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Green Bay Packers may be Sunday's prime-time game, but the true must-see contest of the day is in the City of Angels.

The red-hot New Orleans Saints are set to face the high-flying Los Angeles Rams in a battle of two of the league's most potent and exciting offenses.

Only the Philadelphia Eagles are scoring more points per game than the Saints and Rams, but which of Sunday's challengers has the advantage in the key offensive areas?

Head coach/playcalling

Sean McVay has blown everyone away with how quickly he's transformed the Rams' offense from a joke into a juggernaut. He may be the league's most creative play-caller, and opposing defenses have been playing catch-up all season long, unable to find consistent answers to McVay's versatile attack.

But McVay is walking a path Sean Payton helped build. The Saints' head coach has produced over a decade of mind-boggling, historic offensive output, and deserves significant plaudits for rejuvenating the team's rushing attack this season and lessening Drew Brees' workload.

Payton's experience could tilt this battle in the Saints' favor, but McVay has already proven he has the talent and smarts to overcome his youth.

Advantage: Tie

Quarterback

The fact this section requires more than just one sentence speaks volumes about how much Jared Goff has improved following an abysmal rookie campaign.

A lot of the credit goes to McVay for designing a quarterback-friendly scheme that emphasizes Goff's skill set, but the second-year pivot's improvement isn't just down to his head coach; Goff is making smart reads, being aggressive when required, and protecting the football.

Despite all this, this is still the easiest section to call. Brees is still, well, Drew freakin' Brees. Yes, the Saints' new-found dominant running game is a major reason for their success, but the quarterback proved he's still the key cog in this offense during the epic 15-point overtime comeback in Week 11.

Advantage: Saints

Running back

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

What's preferable: two good running backs with complementary skill sets or one great running back who can do everything?

Mark Ingram and rookie Alvin Kamara have formed the most productive tandem in the league since Adrian Peterson was sent packing. The Saints have been unstoppable on the ground, averaging over 200 yards per game over the last three weeks.

Still, Todd Gurley is the biggest offensive game-changer in this matchup. As good a receiver as he is a runner, Gurley is on pace for nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns.

This one is just too close to call.

Advantage: Tie

Pass-catchers

Unfortunately, the most in-form receiver in this game, Robert Woods, won't play due to a shoulder injury. It remains to be seen how L.A.'s passing game will look without Woods, who has 322 yards and four touchdowns over the past three games.

It's not like the Rams are left weaponless, however. Sammy Watkins hasn't made the consistent impact the team likely hoped for, but the wideout has produced a handful of downfield plays. Cooper Kupp has been Goff's go-to man in critical situations, and will surely be highly motivated to make up for a terrible performance in Week 11.

But without Woods, it's clear the Saints' depth of receiving options wins out. Michael Thomas hasn't made the leap most expected of him, but he's still an upper-tier wideout. Ted Ginn, tight end Coby Fleener, and Brandon Coleman are solid options for an offense that uses Kamara essentially as the No. 2 guy in the passing game.

Advantage: Saints

Offensive line

The quarterbacks, running games, and head coaches of the Rams and Saints have rightfully been showered with praise for their teams' success, but both offenses wouldn't be anywhere as lethal if not for the standout play upfront.

Brees has been sacked just 10 times, the fewest in the league. Meanwhile, the Rams have kept Goff almost as clean, allowing 15 sacks. L.A. also boasts this game's best offensive lineman in veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth.

However, the Saints' offensive line is a big reason for the run game's success, allowing the fewest stuffed runs (where the running back is tackled or behind the line of scrimmage) in the league.

Advantage: Saints

Conclusion

The Saints are the clear winners of the head-to-head battles, taking three of the five categories and tying the other two. But, of course, these two units aren't playing in a vacuum.

New Orleans will face a strong Rams defense, led by arguably the NFL's best defensive player in Aaron Donald and defensive coordinator in Wade Phillips.

Meanwhile, the Rams have caught a major break, as breakout rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore and fellow starter Ken Crawley will miss the game with injuries. The Saints' revitalized defense may not be able to continue its upward trend with a severely weakened secondary.

One thing's for sure, though: the NFL world is set to be treated to one of the best shootouts of the season.

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