In one of the late afternoon slots in week number 16, the Los Angeles Rams traveled to Seattle to battle the Seahawks in an all-important NFC West showdown. Backed by a stellar effort from their much-improved defense, Seattle captured their 5th NFC West title under head coach Pete Carroll in a 20-9 victory. Holding the high-powered Los Angeles passing attack to just 216 yards through the air, Ken Norton Jr’s group sacked quarterback Jared Goff three times while also stopping the team at their own one-yard line to set the tone for the win.
Why the Los Angeles Rams Lost
Proving tough once again in this one, the Rams defense held Russell Wilson and company to just 292 total yards in another strong showing. Sacking the veteran quarterback five times, the team was led along the defensive line in another strong performance by pass rusher Leonard Floyd as the former first-round pick racked up two quarterback takedowns, his 8th and 9th of the season. However, what proved to be costly for Brandon Staley’s group was missed opportunities to force game-changing plays as cornerback Darious Williams dropped an easy interception that could have changed the tone of the game’s opening 30 minutes. Ultimately becoming bottled down due to the team’s offensive inefficiency, Wilson would score on a four-yard touchdown scamper while also finding tight end Jacob Hollister on an 11-yard strike to put the game out of reach.
Struggling once again on offense, Goff had one of his lowest passing outputs of the season with just 234 yards through the air. Failing to score points, the team’s longest drives of the day resulted in just six points, with Goff tossing an interception along with a turnover on downs inside Seattle’s five-yard line. Unable to overcome the loss of rookie Cam Akers in the backfield, Los Angeles’s rushing attack also struggled in this one as Darrell Henderson rushed just 12 times for 62 yards. Plagued by turnovers as the season winds down, the Rams have failed to score over 30 points in nine of their last ten games. With a turnover in all 15 games this season, Los Angeles will look to be without their starting quarterback next week after a thumb injury suffered early on in the game.
Why the Seattle Seahawks Won
Led by an outstanding effort on the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks held the Rams out of the end zone for the first time this season. Making plays when they needed to, the group stuffed Los Angeles with goal to go late in the third quarter while also forcing their opponent to an 0-2 mark on fourth downs. Frustrating Goff all game long with their revitalized pass rush, Seattle knocked the former number one pick off his spot, sacking him three times. Holding their fifth straight opponent to under 20 points, the group was led by rookie Jordan Brooks with seven tackles along with defensive tackle Jarran Reed with two sacks.
In tough against one of the league’s top defensive units, the Seahawks were held in check in the first half as the game was knotted at six all heading into the break. Making plays when they counted in the second half, Wilson led the team on two scoring drives, including a nine-play 80-yard drive that was capped off by a 13-yard pass to Hollister. Red zone efficiency was key for the Seahawks offense in this one as the team scored on two of their three trips while the Rams failed to score on either of their opportunities. Receiving enough from the ground game against the league’s third overall rush defense unit, Chris Carson led the way on the ground for Seattle with 16 carries for 69 yards.
Highlights
Goff’s pass is PICKED OFF by Pro Bowler Quandre Diggs 🙌 @qdiggs6 #Seahawks
📺: #LARvsSEA on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/BVP8uIyKIx pic.twitter.com/odCHjyVzOj— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2020
Russ runs it in and the #Seahawks take a 13-6 lead 🙌
📺: #LARvsSEA on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/BVP8uIyKIx pic.twitter.com/XRRlFpfRyq— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2020
Big fourth down stop by the #Seahawks 😤
📺: #LARvsSEA on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/BVP8uIyKIx pic.twitter.com/bAWT4B6XMe— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2020
What’s Next
Still, in contention for the number one seed in the NFC playoffs, the Seahawks travel to State Farm Stadium to battle the San Francisco 49ers in week 17. Returning home to host the Cardinals in the final week of the regular season, the Rams lock up their spot in the playoffs with a win or a loss by the Chicago Bears.
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