Rams Survive Giants, Retain Control of Playoff Destiny
The Los Angeles Rams needed a win and a Seattle Seahawks loss to secure a playoff spot on Sunday during their trip to MetLife Stadium.
Fortunately for the Rams, they were able to do just that, surviving a second-half push from the Giants to take home a 26-25 win thanks largely to a three-touchdown day from Kyren Williams.
At first, the Rams looked like they were set to run away with the game, leading 20-10 late in the third quarter. But after a host of mistakes, including a second-half pick from Matthew Stafford, the Giants were able to crawl their way back into it.
Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
New York even had two chances to take the lead in the final three and a half minutes of action as well, with Gunner Olszewski returning a punt 94 yards for a touchdown to pull the Giants within a point.
But, after a penalty on the Rams on the extra point attempt, New York elected to go for two and failed, with Tyrod Taylor making an inexplicably bad throw on a short pass to Saquon Barkley, leaving the score at 26-25 in favor of L.A.
Then following a stop of the Rams on the next possession, the Giants failed again, this time thanks to a Mason Crosby missed field goal from 54 yards out, sealing the win for Los Angeles.
Stafford, who ended the game by completing 24 of 34 passes for 317 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions, took a knee to end the game, icing the win.
Now with the win in their pocket, the Rams will anxiously await the results of the Seahawks' tilt vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in the afternoon slate, hoping their NFC West Division rivals will help them clinch a playoff spot with a loss.
After that, it will be on to Week 18 for L.A. where they will face the No. 1 NFC seed San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
