The Mob Squad’s immense pressure all afternoon, led to Russell Wilson’s worst offensive game of the season. Photo by Los Angeles Rams.
By Matt Barrero, Assistant Sports Editor
LOS ANGELES 23, SEATTLE 16
Following a much-needed bye week, the Los Angeles Rams (6-3) came into Sunday needing to shake off their Week 8 woes against Miami and make a statement against their rival Seattle Seahawks (6-3) and boy, did they come out and play stellar on both sides of the ball. The Rams battled with the high-flying Seahawks all afternoon, winning by a final score of 23-16.
OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE –
While it wasn’t the highest of stats, or even a perfect game overall, the Rams offense found its rhythm in Week 10 and turned around their embarrassing performance against the Dolphins two weeks prior. The offense got going in a hurry as they were able to secure points on their first three offensive possessions of the game. The first drive went 70 yards and was capped off by a Kai Forbath 23-yard field goal. Following an Alex Collins 13-yard rush into the endzone to give the Seahawks a 7-3 lead, the Rams drove 77 yards on their second possession and 93 yards on their third offensive possession and gained a 17-7 lead with just over six minutes left in the first half. Darrell Henderson Jr. ended the second drive with a 1-yard rush and his running back counterpart, Malcolm Brown, finished off the third drive with a 7-yard rushing touchdown. The offense would go cold the rest of the game minus their opening possession of the second half, an 88-yard drive ending with another Brown rushing touchdown, this time from 1-yard out. Long drives in both yardage and time of possession played dividends most of this game and the Rams were able to stave off any falters in their performance.
STATS THAT MATTER –
Following his four-turnover game in Miami in Week 8, Jared Goff looked comfortable again in the pocket, completing 27 of his 37 pass attempts. While Goff did not throw any touchdowns Sunday afternoon, he did throw for over 300 yards for the fourth time this season and second consecutive game. Goff did not throw any interceptions but did have one turnover, on a fumble forced by Seahawks safety Jamal Adams. The three-headed monster that is the Rams run game, provided all of the offense in terms of scoring points on Sunday, as Brown (two touchdowns) and Henderson Jr. (one touchdown) were the only players to make it into the endzone. Cam Akers actually led the run game with 10 carries for 38 yards while Brown carried the ball six times for 33 yards and Henderson Jr. had seven carries for only 28 yards, a combined 99 yards of total rushing. The biggest stats came from the receiving game as Josh Reynolds led the team with a career high in both catches (8) and receiving yards (94). Tight end Tyler Higbee had a bounce back game after weeks of subpar performances, finishing with three catches for 60 yards, while Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods had five catches each and combined for 83 receiving yards.
DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE –
I mentioned in last week’s preview that the Seahawks offense entered Sunday ranking first in points scored, passing yards and passing touchdowns. And with Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett leading the way, the Mob Squad knew they were going to have their hands full in what should have been an offensive shootout. Instead, the Rams defensively shut down Wilson and company and held Seattle to just 16 points the entire game. Prior to Sunday, their lowest amount of points scored was 27. Additionally, Wilson did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time all season and did not throw for more than 250 yards for just the second time all season. After giving up the early touchdown to Collins, the Rams defense only allowed field goals to be scored the entire rest of the game and held onto the biggest victory of the season.
STATS THAT MATTER –
For the first time since 2017, Aaron Donald was held to zero tackles in a game. While that can be a daunting stat to read, the Rams defense showed they can compete and defeat a formidable offense. Micah Kiser led the team in total tackles with 12 but Leonard Floyd had the best defensive performance of the day accounting for five total tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery. Floyd now has seven sacks on the season, tying a career-high with still a whole second half of a season to play. Rookie linebacker Terrell Lewis made his NFL debut and made an immediate impact, recording two sacks and in the secondary, cornerback Darious Williams came up with two impressive interceptions on Wilson, one in the endzone with two minutes left in the first half and one with just under eight minutes left in the game, solidifying an all-around, near perfect defensive performance by the team. Jalen Ramsey only recorded two tackles but was more focused on shutting down Metcalf. Ramsey did just that for one of the top receivers in the game only allowing Metcalf to have two catches for 28 yards and no touchdowns.
FINAL THOUGHTS –
SoFi, So Sweet
The Rams remain undefeated at home, winning for the fourth time in as many games played in the safe confines of their multi-billion-dollar home. The Rams defense has played especially well at home, shutting down opposing offenses and have still not allowed a touchdown to be scored in the second half of any home game. This is great news moving forward as the Rams play four of their last seven regular season games at home.
INJURIES –
Left tackle Andrew Whitworth was carted off the field in the second quarter after suffering a grade 3 MCL and PCL tear in his leg. He will head to the IR and is hopeful to return in six to eight weeks.
Safety Taylor Rapp also left in the first half after suffering a grade 2 MCL sprain. According to head coach Sean McVay, Rapp is expected to miss three to four weeks.
Kicker Kai Forbath has appeared in two games since being signed by the Rams to replace then kicker, Sam Sloman. Forbath suffered an ankle injury and did not return after missing a PAT on the Rams final touchdown of the day. There is currently no timetable for his return. Without a clear return date for Forbath, the Rams have signed kicker Matt Gay from the Indianapolis Colts practice squad to compete with Austin MacGinnis, currently on the Rams’ practice squad, to see who will earn the open spot.
COMING UP –
The Rams will play on the national stage once again in Week 11 to take on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) on Monday Night Football. Kickoff in Tampa Bay is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. PST and will air locally on ABC and on ESPN.
The Seahawks will have a short week as they host the Arizona Cardinals (6-3) on Thursday Night Football. This huge NFC West matchup will weigh heavily on who will be in first place of the division by the week’s end. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. PST on your local FOX station.
