Osi Umenyiora
Two-time Super Bowl winner

I always back the Saints at home! I've never been able to put my finger on why, but every time I went there we lost by about 40 points. Once you get beat like that, with great football teams, and see other good teams go there and get smacked around it stays with you.

There's something about the crowd, the way the whole environment is that makes it so hard to go there and play.

First points on the board! Wil Lutz drills it through the posts from 37 yards. The Rams will probably take that though.

Is that touchdown time?! No! Tight end Dan Arnold goes up to make the catch but he can't cling on.

Saints will go for a field goal...

Image source, Reuters

Saints call a time out as they are again on third down. Within sight of the end zone...

Jason Bell
Former NFL cornerback for Houston Texans

In New Orleans it's going to be so loud, it gives the crowd the opportunity to take Rams coach Sean McVay out of the game.

That means that Jared Goff is going to have to go out there and win you the game. Who do you bet on if it comes down to Goff v Brees?

Brees every time..

The first real big hit of the night by Dante Fowler leaves the Saints on 3rd&3. Can they convert? You bet! A beauty tossed up down the sideline by Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara makes the catch. First down!

Good looking drive. And another first! Saints moving the chains.

The Rams defence are quickly into their stride, stuffing the run and leaving the Saints on 3rd&8, but Ted Ginn makes a good grab to bring up first down.

Mike: Mark Chapman is sat there still hurting from that missed double doink! Jason Bell is sat waiting for the game counting his appearance fee, and Osi Umenyiora is sat with a big bowl of ice cream, here's hoping for a great night of football. Saints and Chiefs for me.

Leigh Nesbitt: Rams and Chiefs to make Super Bowl LIII

To find out what Mike's referencing you can catch up with last night's episode of the NFL Show on the Iplayer here.

And away we go!

The Rams kick-off...safely out the back of the end zone.

Drew Brees will get the ball on his own 25.

Image source, Getty Images

Just a year after Stefon Diggs' last-minute touchdown for Minnesota - dubbed the 'Miracle in Minneapolis' - denied New Orleans a place in 2018's NFC Championship game, the Saints find themselves on the verge of reaching Super Bowl LIII.

Boasting the talents of Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, the Saints offence put up an average of 31.5 points per game as they finished the regular season with a 13-3 record to take the number one seed in the NFC.

After securing a bye for the first match of the playoffs, Sean Payton's side overturned a 0-14 first-quarter deficit to defeat defending Super Bowl champions Philadelphia 20-14 last week, with two touchdown passes from Brees and two interceptions from Marshon Lattimore helping them over the line.

Jason Bell
Former NFL cornerback for Houston Texans

It's an advantage, to be honest. Sean McVay is only 32, and with head coaches there is often a lack of understanding of players, as far as the age gap goes. Usually your position coaches can connect with players but this guy has the temperature of the team. He understands what their age group is really focused on. He knows their music!

That's important. Yes, we see the product on the field but he is aware of his team as individuals.

National anthem time...

Osi Umenyiora
Two-time Super Bowl winner

Image source, Reuters

I'm five years older than Sean McVay and he is leading an NFL team! It is incredible. I was still playing at 32!

Yes, you read that right. LA Coach Sean McVay is just 32...

Image source, Getty Images

Despite the pressure of starting the season as many people's favourites to represent the NFC at the Super Bowl, the LA Rams didn't fail to live up to the hype.

With a passing attack led by Jared Goff and one of the league's most talented running-backs in Todd Gurley, the Rams won their first eight games of the regular season before their run was ended in New Orleans.

Sean McVay's team equaled the Saints' 13-3 record as they secured the NFC West title for the second successive year and went into the playoffs as the second seeds.

Last weekend's divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys saw running-backs Gurley and CJ Anderson combine for 238 yards on the ground as the Rams secured a 30-22 win.

In just their second year under 32-year-old McVay, the Rams have improved on last season's wild card appearance to put themselves in reach of a first Super Bowl since 2002.

Osi Umenyiora
Two-time Super Bowl winner

New Orleans Saints are going to win this game - that's my view.

I love what the Rams have done this season but the game is in New Orleans and it's such a difficult place to go and play.

Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks of all time - I would say he's second or third.

Cocktails pre 8pm?

You're not going to make full-time in Kansas, I fear...

Image source, Reuters

Saints' legend Drew Brees celebrated his 40th birthday earlier this week and will become just the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to start a playoff game over the age of 40, joining Brett Favre and Tom Brady.

He's showing no signs of slowing down though and is one of the leading contenders to be the NFL's MVP after finishing the regular season as the league's most accurate quarterback with a pass completion percentage of 74.4%.

Like a fine wine...

You can drop us a line on twitter at #bbcnfl or text us your thoughts on all things football at 81111 (UK Only).

Get in touch!

We are just about 15 minutes away from kick-off in tonight's first match in New Orleans.

The place is jumping...