In late-season and now postseason form, the Rams roll out running back C.J. Anderson with running back Todd Gurley on offense and 11-year veteran cornerback Aqib Talib anchoring the secondary.

After holding Gurley to just 68 yards on the ground and prized receiver Michael Thomas exploding for a career high 211 yards receiving against the Rams, Payton said the pair of additions in L.A. are meaningful.

“Well I think it’s significant,” Payton said of Talib rejoining the L.A. secondary. “I think there’s a leadership element — a guy with a ton playoff experience, he’s been in the postseason, he’s an extremely, extremely smart player, and you see that on tape.”

Talib watched from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome sideline, on injured reserve nursing his left ankle, as quarterback Drew Brees threw four touchdowns in a 346-yard performance in the first go around. Talib offers nine games of playoff experience, including a 2015 run to a Super Bowl 50 victory in Denver.