The Los Angeles Rams needed a win in Week 14, and they got a big one. The Rams jumped on the Seattle Seahawks early taking a 21-3 lead into halftime. We kept waiting for the Zombie Seahawks to come back, but it never happened and the Rams held on for a 28-12 win.
The Rams improve to 8-5 with the win and still have a shot at a wild card berth. They are one game back of the 9-4 Minnesota Vikings with three weeks remaining in the regular season, so the opportunity is not entirely dead.
The Seahawks drop to 10-3 with the loss and fall to second place in the NFC West behind the San Francisco 49ers. The loss drops the Seahawks from the No. 2 seed to the No. 5 seed. The 49ers and Seahawks square off in Week 17, but this loss removes some of Seattle’s wiggle room over the next two weeks.
Jared Goff got the Rams offense going early in this one. He threw a couple ugly interceptions late, but his 293 yards and two touchdowns were critical to the big early lead. Tight end Tyler Higbee was his leading receiver, catching seven of 11 targets for 116 yards. Higbee was starting place of an injured Gerald Everett. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp were plenty busy as well, combining on 11 catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Todd Gurley returned to his workhorse ways. He rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson did not throw a touchdown in the game, which snapped his 16-game scoring streak. DK Metcalf once again led the team in receiving with 78 yards on six receptions. The Seahawks offense could not get on track, with the Rams pass rush constantly harassing Wilson.
A big concern coming out of this loss is Rashaad Penny’s knee injury. Penny left in the first quarter and was ruled out before the end of the quarter. His status is uncertain, but it’s a big blow to the Seahawks impressive rushing attack.
The Seahawks travel to face the Panthers in Week 15, while the travel to face the Cowboys.