LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Rams went into a game without their most productive receiver and still moved the ball effectively and efficiently through the air. Their quarterback, Jared Goff, threw for 354 yards and completed passes to eight different teammates in Sunday's 26-20 win over the New Orleans Saints, all while Robert Woods -- the Rams' leader in targets, catches and receiving yards -- stood on the sidelines in sweatpants.

The Rams' receiving corps, a major deficiency for about a decade, has come a long way.

"Our room is some dogs," Sammy Watkins said. "We're blocking, kicking guys out. We’re going to come out and compete every week."

Watkins made four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, the product of a quick slant that resulted in a five-yard score on the opening drive. Josh Reynolds, the biggest beneficiary while Woods nursed a sprained shoulder, scored his first career touchdown with a sprawling catch near the back of the end zone. Tyler Higbee hauled in a 38-yard catch near the sidelines. And Cooper Kupp led the way, with eight catches on 11 targets for 116 yards -- seven days after a key fumble and a key drop in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Sammy Watkins made four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown against the Saints. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rams coach Sean McVay was "not surprised at all" with the way Kupp responded.

"I'm just proud of Cooper today," McVay said. "That's kind of what we expected, and he did a good job."

"I knew that Cooper was hungry for this all week," Rams left guard Rodger Saffold added. "Sometimes when you have those tough losses, it really leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Coop -- he took it personally, and he put the work in throughout the entire week."

The Rams spent all week talking about how they would replace Woods "by committee." And though Watkins received a predictable increase in workload -- his nine targets were a season high and matched what he drew in three previous weeks combined -- Goff never really forced him the ball. The second-year quarterback said his mindset "didn't really change much" with Woods out.

"All I wanted to do was be aware of who was in there," Goff said. "Some guys are really good at things; some guys are better at other things."

The Rams went eight years without a 1,000-yard receiver, from 2008 to 2015 -- a time when the NFL produced 174 of them. Kenny Britt finally snapped that streak in 2016, but the Rams were still devoid of reliability and talent at the position. So they replenished it over the offseason, signing Woods, trading for Watkins, drafting Kupp, Reynolds and tight end Gerald Everett.

NFL Playoff Machine See what the latest playoff picture looks like and simulate your own playoff scenarios.

NFL Playoff Machine

Now the Rams are six-deep at receiver -- not even counting their most expensive one, Tavon Austin, who's being used mainly out of the backfield -- and boast two athletic tight ends.

And they're all so young, too.

Woods is the oldest, but he's only 25 and is signed through the 2021 season. Next is Higbee, a second-year tight end who's 24. Watkins, in his fourth year, is one day older than Kupp, a rookie. They're both 24, too. Reynolds and Everett are rookies. Pharoh Cooper and Mike Thomas are second-year players.

Needing a sustained drive late, the Rams ran 13 plays and held the ball for five and a half minutes, setting up a field goal that gave them a 13-point lead with 2:27 remaining. And it was two rookies who came through. Facing third-and-9 from his own 26-yard line, Goff found Reynolds for a 10-yard gain. He later connected with Kupp for 7 and 14 yards, continuing to exploit a Saints secondary without its two starting cornerbacks.

When New Orleans came back with a quick touchdown to make it a one-score game, it was Watkins who secured the onside kick.

"Woods is a great player, but we have other great players who can come in and make plays," Watkins told ESPN on the field postgame, right before McVay rewarded him with a game ball.

"Throughout this entire season, it's been a testament to the guys we have on this team that we don't rely on just one person to make the plays for us," said Kupp, who had his grandfather, Jake, a former offensive lineman for the Saints, in the stands. "Week in and week out, you see different guys step up, and you have to just always expect that the ball's going to come your way, because there's so many guys who can make plays. And you never know when it's going to be your opportunity."