The Rams want to prove to the rest of the NFL they are for real.

After failing their first test against one of the NFC elite last week in Minnesota, the Rams responded Sunday with a 26-20 win over the Saints at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The Rams' defense kept the Saints' high-powered offense in check with 346 yards. Saints quarterback Drew Brees had a hard time getting in rhythm against an aggressive Rams front. Brees was sacked three times and threw for 246 yards on 22-of-32 passing. He was also held without a touchdown pass for the third time this season, but unlike the previous two times that happened, the Saints were unable to rely on their ground game.

Outside of a 74-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Alvin Kamara, the Saints (8-3) could not establish much else. The Rams (8-3) held the Saints to 49 yards on the 16 other New Orleans rush attempts.

In snapping New Orleans' eight-game win streak, the Rams proved they are a force with which to be reckoned in the NFC.

Here are three takeaways from the Rams' win over the Saints
1. Rams are the best team in the NFC West — After knocking off the Saints, the Rams have arrived as NFC contenders and emerged as the favorites to win the NFC West. The Rams will face the Cardinals (5-6), who knocked off the Jaguars (7-4), next week before two more huge tests against the Eagles (10-1) and Seahawks (7-4). The Eagles have won nine straight after dominating the Bears Sunday, but will have to visit the L.A. Coliseum.

The Seahawks, who have won the NFC West three of the last four seasons, beat the 49ers (1-10) on Sunday. The Dec. 17 game against the Rams could decide the division. The Seahawks beat the Rams in L.A. earlier this season and a season sweep would give Seattle an all-important tiebreaker in the division. But the Seahawks have lost two straight at home and the air of invincibility is gone from CenturyLink Field. While the Seahawks are beaten up on defense and have been relying on Russell Wilson to carry the offense, the Rams are a complete and healthy team and the best in the NFC West.

2. Saints are still the team to beat in the NFC South — As Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt continues to struggle, Kamara might now be the favorite to be the NFL's Rookie of the Year. The running back from Tennessee carried the load for the Saints offense on Sunday. Kamara ran for 87 yards and had six catches for 101 yards while making incredible play after incredible play.

The Saints and Panthers are even with an 8-3 record, but the Saints won earlier in Charlotte and can complete a season sweep next week in New Orleans. The Saints dominated the earlier game and will be favored to win next week.

3. Sean McVay is a lock for Coach of the Year — Even if the Rams don't win another game this season, McVay will be the NFL's Coach of the Year and deservingly so. The Rams will not have a losing season for the first time since 2004 and, with just one more victory, they will clinch their first winning season since 2003.

The Rams have had a remarkable turnaround since last year's disastrous 4-12 campaign. The 31-year-old McVay has energized the team and changed the culture of negativity that existed under previous coaches. McVay was touted as a quarterback guru and he's done wonders with second-year quarterback Jared Goff, who looked lost as a rookie.

Goff has been superb this season and turned in his fourth 300-yard passing game of the season. He threw two touchdown passes to give him 18 for the year to just four interceptions. The Rams have been hitting big plays all year and a 53-yard strike to rookie Cooper Kupp set up a 7-yard touchdown pass to rookie Josh Reynolds.