Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks Live In-Game Updates, Highlights: Rams Win 17-16
The Los Angeles Rams have had a bye week to prepare for Week 11’s attempt at saving their season. At 3-6, playoff hopes are slim and ultimately at the mercy of their conference foes, but Los Angeles hopes the week off can help kickstart a stagnant offense.
Perhaps that jolt can come in the form of quarterback Matthew Stafford. The veteran quarterback will return on Sunday to face a Seattle Seahawks (6-3) team that the Rams shocked in Week 1. Though the defense led the way in the opening game, Stafford balled out, without receiver Cooper Kupp, and showed that this offense could stay afloat without him.
Now, at nearly full strength, they’ll have to shock Seattle again. However, the slim spread on this one suggests that, despite the difference in the standings, this one should be close. The Seahawks’ defense hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, averaging over 27 points per game in their last three contests.
Stafford attempts a pass in Seattle during the Rams' Week 1 win.
Limiting receivers like DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, of course, will be a challenge for defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ defense. In Week 1, Seattle mustered just a single first down in the second half. It isn’t fair to expect the same outing from the Rams defense this time around.
Watch for Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith to play an outsized role in this one, good or bad. He hasn’t been as consistent as last season, posting multiple below-average performances. But it's clear he has the accuracy and aggression to stick, especially with such a talented group of pass-catchers. Smith has also been solid in the fourth quarter and overtime, where this one could very well be headed.
Rams head coach Sean McVay has proven to be a tough nut for Seattle to crack. At home, with the extra week to prepare, expect this one to stay close.
WHAT: Rams (3-6) vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-3)
WHERE: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA (70,240)
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 1:25 p.m. (PT)
TELEVISION: CBS
RADIO: ESPNLA 710 AM, Tu Liga 1330 AM
ODDS: Rams +1.5 (-125), Moneyline: -110, Total: 46.5 (o -118/u -110)
Live updates will appear after kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
Rams First Drive: Los Angeles received the opening kickoff.
Running back Darrel Henderson began the game with a two-yard rush. Stafford's first dropback resulted in a sack. Henderson's third-down catch would not be enough to extend the drive.
Seahawks First Drive: After running back Kenneth Walker rushed for six yards, it was a Smith completion under pressure that netted a first down. Cornerback Derion Kendrick's unsportsmanlike conduct would move them further downfield.
Rookie back Zach Charbonnet found himself a three-yard rush on his first attempt of the day, and rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba showed off impressive body control on a 23-yard grab, but it was ruled out of bounds.
Smith returned to the rookie on the next play for a first down. Seattle continued to move the ball into a goal-to-go situation. Metcalf would finish the drive with an eight-yard score.
The Rams trail 7-0 with 5:20 remaining in the first quarter.
Rams Second Drive: After an encroachment began the drive, Stafford took a shot downfield to receiver Tutu Atwell, and safety Julian Love was called for a defensive pass interference penalty -- immediately putting them at the Seattle 25-yard line.
After missing a touchdown on a free play, Los Angeles was able to continue moving the ball downfield. In a goal-to-go situation, three straight runs from running back Royce Freeman fell short. A fourth-down incompletion would end the drive just short of the goal line.
Seahawks Second Drive: Walker is doubtful to return with an oblique injury. Thus, Charbonnet got the first action of the drive.
The Rams trail 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
Charbonnet began the quarter with an 11-yard rush. On third down, Smith once again targeted Smith-Njigba downfield. After a big contested catch, Seattle found itself 32 yards forward in the right direction.
Three Seahawks rushes would culminate in a fourth-down conversion, but an illegal shift and delay of game made it first-and-20. Those penalties would prove pivotal -- Seattle would lose two yards before a Jason Myers field goal.
The Rams trail 10-0 with 8:26 remaining in the second quarter.
Rams Third Drive: Three Stafford incompletions would give the Seahawks the ball after 30 seconds of game time.
Seahawks Third Drive: A bomb to Metcalf would immediately bring the Seahawks to Los Angeles' seven-yard line.
After two rushes that combined to lose four yards, Smith was called for intentional grounding. Myers' second field goal was good.
The Rams trail 13-0 with 4:48 remaining in the second quarter.
Rams Fourth Drive: Freeman began the drive with a six-yard rush, but broke the next play off for 15. A three-yard rush would bring this one to the two-minute warning.
Stafford completed a 13-yard pass out of the break. Soon after, Atwell would haul in a 17-yard pass to put the Rams in the red zone.
On third-and-goal, he would connect with receiver Puka Nacua for a score.
The Rams trail 13-7 with nine seconds remaining in the first half.
HALFTIME
THIRD QUARTER
Seahawks Fourth Drive: Lockett hauled in an eight-yard catch, but the Seahawks would punt after a quick three-and-out.
Rams Fifth Drive: The Rams could not manage to move the chains on the ensuing drive and were penalized for kick-catch interference.
Seahawks Fifth Drive: The Seahawks got the ball with good field position thanks to Los Angeles' futility on offense.
Charbonnet caught a fourth-down pass to move the chains, the final first down of the drive.
Myers would make another field goal.
The Rams trail 16-7 with 8:03 remaining in the third quarter.
Rams Sixth Drive: After a first-down pass to Nacua that moved the chains, Los Angeles would be forced to punt.
Seahawks Sixth Drive: Similar to Los Angeles' last drive, Lockett found a first down on the first play of the drive. Seattle would not convert another first down on the drive.
Rams Seventh Drive: Freeman began the drive with three rushes and a new set of downs, but a holding call on Nacua set them back to first-and-17.
That would prove to be too much to overcome. The Rams punted again.
Seahawks Seventh Drive: Smith has entered the medical after being hit during a throw.
The Rams trail 16-7 at the end of the third quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
Backup quarterback Drew Lock entered the game and threw an incompletion. Seattle would punt.
Rams Eighth Drive: After being gifted yards at the hands of an unnecessary roughness penalty, Stafford completed a deep pass to Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen.
Stafford was slow to get up, getting blasted by a Seattle defender.
Seahawks Eighth Drive: After a short completion to tight end Noah Fant and a Charbonnet rush, Seattle had itself a third-and-3 situation.
Lock missed Smith-Njigba downfield, preceding a punt.
Rams Ninth Drive: Stafford rebounded well, starting the drive with a 23-yard completion to receiver Demarcus Robinson.
Three plays later, he would roll out and find tight end Tyler Higbee for 17 yards, sending them to the red zone. Henderson would score, but offensive pass interference would take it off the board.
Henderson would eventually find his way into the end zone.
The Rams trail 16-14 with 7:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks Ninth Drive: Seattle failed to move the ball on the first two plays of the drive.
On third down, Lock was intercepted downfield by Kendrick. A late flag would be called on the Rams for an illegal demonstration, setting them back 15 yards. Even so, it's Rams football.
Rams Tenth Drive: Stafford delivered a heater to Nacua to begin the drive.
He followed that up with two incompletions, interrupted by a false start.
On third-and-15, a Seahawks defensive back was called for illegal use of hands.
Los Angeles leaned on the run game on the new set of downs. Freeman ran twice for nine yards each.
Nacua took the first touch out of the two-minute warning, bringing the ball inside the Seattle 10-yard line. After a short rush and an incompletion, the Rams called their second timeout. Their third-and-goal call would come up short.
Kicker Lucas Havrisik gave Los Angeles a lead.
The Rams lead 17-16 with 1:34 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks Tenth Drive: Seattle does not have a timeout.
After a tight-window completion to Lockett, Smith threw an incompletion in Metcalf's direction.
Charbonnet was targeted on the next pass, which was reviewed and ultimately upheld for a short gain. On third-and-8, Smith hit Metcalf for a chunk gain.
The Seahawks would then run the ball and spike it with eight seconds remaining.
From 55 yards, Myers would miss. Rams win!
The Rams win 17-16 to get to 4-6.
