Rams

Another division game. Different results for Rams

October 8
Dennis J. Freeman

A few days after absorbing a bruising home defeat to the Arizona Cardinals, the Los Angeles Rams beat Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks, coming away with a 26-17 win.

Thanks to another productive day at the office by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who completed 25 of 37 passes for 365 yards and a touchdown, the Rams got it going in the second half after a stagnant first two quarters offensively,

The Rams scored 23 of their 26 points in the third and fourth periods after tallying the magical number of three points in the first half. This was not an easy contest for the Rams, even after the fact that Wilson went down with an injury that the Seattle quarterback sustained on his throwing hand.

Besides Stafford’s hot hand, the Rams had contributors on both sides of the football to help head coach Sean McVay win for the seventh time in 10 tries against the Pete Carroll-led Seahawks. Aaron Donald, a thorn in the side of Wilson, recorded his 14th sack of the Seattle signal-caller, the most he has of any quarterback in the NFL.

The Rams got to Wilson twice for sacks, including Donald’s dump which put him at the No. 1 position as the all-time sack leader (88.5) for Los Angeles. On the other side of the ball, wide receiver Robert Woods caught 12 of his Stafford’s 25 completions for 150 yards, a big night for the former Gardena Serra and USC standout.

To clinch the game, Rams safety Nick Scott picked off Geno Smith, who came in relief of the injured Wilson, to seal the win for the Rams. But this was not without a fight. Despite all the superb efforts put forth by the Rams all around, being that this was an NFC West division game, the contest was played like one.

Carroll and the Seahawks were not going to just lay down and roll over for the visitors. Smith gave the Seattle offense an immediate boost when he came into the game and led the Seahawks down the field for a 98-yard scoring drive. Stafford and the Rams answered with a score of their own, this coming in the form of a short touchdown run by running back Sony Michel.

Smith then led the Seahawks back down the field for a field goal. At this point in the game, things were getting a little tight.

Things got a lot tighter when the Seattle defense forced the Rams to give up the football with just a little more than two minutes to play in the game. Scott made the play of the night when he intercepted a Smith pass intended for wide receiver Tyler Lockett.

Lockett appeared to have either fell over his own feet or was accidentally clipped by Jordan Fuller on the play. Either way, there was no penalty called. Scott’s pick shut down any possible thoughts of rallying to a comeback win that Seattle may have had on their minds. Matt Gay’s 47-yard field goal then made it official.

Featured Image Caption: Los Angeles Rams running back Darrell Henderson (27) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)