Gurley, Johnson lead Rams to 21-14 win over Lions
ST. LOUIS (AP) Todd Gurley didn't know what to think when he found out that his agent, rap mogul Jay-Z, would be in the house.
''At the time we were losing so it was like, hopefully he can come and bring some good luck,'' the St. Louis Rams' rookie running back said.
Whatever it was, it worked.
Gurley got rolling in the second half, finishing with 140 yards and two touchdowns that helped St. Louis (5-8) end a five-game losing streak with a 21-14 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Gurley averaged just 42.7 yards the previous four games behind an injury-riddled offensive line largely populated by rookies and had just 13 yards on seven carries at the half. Besides scoring on runs of 15 and 5 yards, he had carries of 49 and 21 yards after the break.
The breakout coincided with the first game under new coordinator Rob Boras, who replaced the fired Frank Cignetti on Monday. Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Boras changed some runs.
''We made some adjustments at halftime and they were good,'' Fisher said. ''They were solid adjustments both times. Most of his runs there were a lot of people on the line of scrimmage.''
Trumaine Johnson had an even bigger day than Gurley, scoring on an interception return and shutting down Calvin Johnson.
Trumaine Johnson's 58-yard return was the only score in the first half, plus he did most of the work holding the Lions' star receiver to a late 16-yard catch.
''It was Johnson versus Johnson the whole week,'' Trumaine Johnson said. ''Even in practice I was going with 81 the whole practice. I knew it was going to be a tough matchup, but I feel like I can match up with anybody with my big frame. Especially with him.''
Aaron Donald had three sacks of Matthew Stafford to further boost a defense that had sagged in recent weeks. Donald has a career-high 11 sacks.
''You're supposed to win 1-on-1s,'' Donald said. ''That's why they brought me here.''
Golden Tate caught two touchdown passes for Detroit, which didn't have much to show for extra days off to regroup from a game-ending TD pass by the Packers on Dec. 3.
Tate's 2-yard catch shaved the Lions' deficit to a touchdown with 2:05 left, the play after Calvin Johnson stopped his drought. The Lions (4-9) recovered an onside kick after Bradley Marquez bobbled it, but turned it over on downs at the St. Louis 46.
''They've got a great front four, especially 99 (Donald),'' Stafford said.
Some things to know from the Rams' win over Lions:
FAN UN-APPRECIATION?: Turnout was light at the Edward Jones Dome for what could be the final Sunday home game for the franchise in St. Louis, with 51,202 tickets distributed but the 66,000-capacity stadium half-filled at best. Rams owner Stan Kroenke wants to move the team to Los Angeles after this season and there is one remaining home game, on Thursday against Tampa Bay.
NEW PASSING STANDARD: Stafford passed for 245 yards and surpassed the 25,000 yard mark with a 5-yard pass to Theo Riddick that set up the Lions' first touchdown in the third quarter. Stafford hit the mark in 90 games, becoming the fastest in NFL history to achieve it and breaking Dan Marino's record of 92 games.
MILESTONE CATCH: Rams WR Wes Welker had just one catch, but the 11-yarder early in the fourth quarter was the 900th of his career. Welker is No. 6 among active players for most career receptions.
''It feels good, especially since we won the game,'' Welker said. ''The goal wasn't to get catch No. 900, the goal was to win the game. It's only one catch, I felt it helped us win the game and that's all I can do.''
NO GROUND CONTROL: The Lions entered the game holding their previous four opponents to fewer than 70 yards rushing, but were gashed for 203 yards with a 7-yard average by the Rams. WR Tavon Austin rushed for 40 yards, including runs of 20 and 13 yards.
''(Gurley's) got power and he has speed and we didn't tackle him very well,'' Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. ''A couple of our run fits may have been off as well.''
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