Los Angeles Rams Escape With Critical NFC West Win Over Seattle Seahawks
The Los Angeles Rams were in desperate need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive on Sunday as they enter a critical NFC West divisional matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
And after 60 minutes of hard-hitting and gritty football from both sides, it was the Rams that emerged victorious, escaping with a 17-16 win at SoFi Stadium.
It was a slow start for the Rams, who found themselves in a quick 13-0 hole early on after being shut out in the first quarter.
In fact, the Rams didn't get onto the board offensively until the closing seconds of the first half when Matthew Stafford hit Puka Nacua for a four-yard touchdown pass.
Then at the start of the second half, those struggles continued, with L.A. again going scoreless through the entire third quarter.
However, in the fourth quarter, there was a massive shift in momentum in L.A.'s favor. That momentum started with a one-yard touchdown by Darrell Henderson to pull the Rams with two points at 16-14.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford
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The Rams then were able to pick up a major turnover on an interception of backup QB Drew Lock, who was in for injured starter, Geno Smith. L.A. Parlayed that interception into the go-ahead field goal with just over a minute in a half to play in regulation, giving the Rams what would eventually be a game-winning 17-16 lead.
The Seahawks had a chance to win it late with a 55-yard field goal attempt, but the kick sailed wide right, sealing the win for the Rams.
For the game, the Rams were aided by an elite defensive showing, led by none other than the newly healthy Ernest Jones, who had been out with an injury since October 29.
Jones finished the game with 12 total tackles, to go along with two QB hits and half a sack.
Offensively it was a gritty performance from Stafford that led the way for L.A., with the veteran QB completing 17 of 31 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. Nacua led the way in the receiving department, catching five passes for 70 yards and a score.
Following the tough matchup with Seattle, the Rams will shift their focus to another NFC West matchup, this time with the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams dispatched the Cardinals 26-9 in their previous matchup at SoFi Stadium in October.
Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 26.
