Rams Get Back in the Win Column With Convincing Victory Over Jaguars, 37-7
INGLEWOOD — After weeks of seeing slow starts from the Los Angeles Rams, they wasted no time taking care of business against the Jacksonville Jaguars, taking the opening kickoff 65 yards for an early jolt to get things underway.
The Rams ultimately settled for a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. Meanwhile, they got the ball back relatively fast as a forced fumble by Aaron Donald on the Jaguars' first offensive series propelled L.A. to take over from the Jacksonville 27-yard line in which they punched it in with a Sony Michel handoff to go up 10-0 in just the first five minutes of regulation.
The Rams offense displayed flashes on Sunday that would suggest they’re getting back to the high-flying attack that they showed early on in the season, as they defeated the Jaguars in convincing style by the score of 37-7.
While they cashed in on a rather easy 10 points just before some fans could even reach their seats, the Rams wouldn’t find the end zone for the remainder of the first half. They did tack on three field goals from Matt Gay, going into halftime with a 16-7 lead.
Overall, quarterback Matthew Stafford looked more buttoned-up than he has in the few games prior but he still had moments of throws that were slightly high of his target. The Rams went 0-6 on 3rd down in the first half.
However, the Rams did make adequate second-half adjustments, orchestrating a four-play, 85-yard drive that ended with Matthew Stafford finding Cooper Kupp streaking across the middle for a 29-yard touchdown to begin the third quarter.
“He’s our guy," Rams coach Sean McVay said of Stafford. "We go as he goes."
Stafford kept the momentum going on the ensuing drive, marching the Rams offense down the field on 10 plays that included 62 yards and ended with a Van Jefferson touchdown.
“To be able to come back after that shot he took, deliver a great throw to Van over the middle and put us in scoring position, I think continues to personify the toughness and everything that’s right about Matthew,” McVay said.
“He’s a tough guy. He won’t tell me anything. ‘I’m good, I’m good.’ ‘What’s wrong with you?’ ‘I’m good.’“
The Rams put this game out of reach halfway through the 3rd quarter with a commanding lead of three-plus possessions.
Stafford's day finished with him connecting with seven different receivers, going 26 of 38 for 295 yards and three touchdowns. It was Stafford's most complete performance since Week 9.
“I just try to attack each game and treat it as an opportunity to go play great,” Stafford said. “Sometimes that doesn’t happen.
“I tried to make sure I wasn’t putting the ball in harm’s way, and our guys were getting open and making catches.”
As for the Rams defense, they too played the best game in over a month. The Rams' defense held the Jaguars under 200 total yards on the evening. The group was led by linebacker Ernest Jones, who registered eight tackles, 0.5 sack, one quarterback hit and one pass breakup.
Along the Rams' defensive line, Donald wrecked havoc, logging 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits and one tackle for loss.
The Rams now move to an 8-4 record, snapping their three-game losing streak. In Week 14, they will travel to Arizona and take on the NFC West-leading Cardinals on Monday Night Football.
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Nick Cothrel is the publisher of Ram Digest. Follow Nick and Ram Digest on Twitter @NickCothrel & @RamDigestSI for more Rams coverage.
