Rams roll on with another big divisional win
It’s been a good week for the Rams. After Arizona’s shock loss to the previously struggling Detroit Lions on Sunday, L.A. had the opportunity to jump into equal first in the NFC West — and they didn’t let themselves down.
After three straight losses Rams have bounced to three consecutive victories, defeating rivals Seattle 20-10 at SoFi Stadium on Tuesday night.
A dour first half was what the doctor ordered — not for the fans — for a Rams team criticised for its lack of physicality in recent losses. Aaron Donald and Von Miller stood tall recording two tackles-for-loss and a sack each. It was Miller’s first sack as a Ram, ending a seven-game drought, the longest of his illustrious career.
The second half started poorly from an L.A. perspective, as Seattle running back DeeJay Dallas ran in a 4-yard touchdown to secure a 10-7 advantage. From then on, the Rams’ — and potential NFL — MVP Cooper Kupp rose from the shadows.
Kupp, who finished the night with 136 receiving yards from nine catches, tied the game on a 6-yard reception with 6:31 left in the third. Simultaneously, the Eastern Washington product set a franchise record -- amassing 120 catches in a single season.
Early in the final quarter, Kupp pushed the Rams ahead 17-10 with a superb 29-yard touchdown to place a cherry on the top of an 88-yard drive.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing from thereon. Seattle had their opportunity to restore parity, and perhaps would have if Rams linebacker Ernest Jones was flagged for pass interference on a Russell Wilson pass intended for Dallas.
Controversially, the play came on fourth-and-six with just 3:27 remaining in the ball game. The no-call virtually ended Seattle’s hopes, with the only flag coming for Dallas’ unsportsmanlike conduct.
From a scoring perspective, pinpoint Rams kicker Matt Gay knocked in a 35-yard field goal to push the Rams to a 20-10 lead — the game’s final score.
Despite the tie, Los Angeles are currently seeded No. 5 in the NFC due to atheirhead-to-head record with Arizona. Up next are a tricky Minnesota team — the NFC’s current No. 7 seed — in what will be a fantastic spectacle for the neutral.
Seattle’s ninth loss of the season meanwhile, has earned Pete Carroll’s team their first losing season since 2011 — and the first of Russell Wilson’s career. They host the 4-10 Bears next week in a game for only the purists.