Gaining their first loss on November 4 did not break the winning momentum of the Los Angeles Rams as they defeated the Seattle Seahawks 36-31.
Quarterback Jared Goff made 28 passes for 318 yards, running back Todd Gurley executed 16 rushes for 120 yards and wide receiver Brandin Cooks made 10 catches for 100 yards. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson endured nine hits to complete 17 passes for 176 yards, running back Rashad Penny made 12 carries for 108 yards and wideout Tyler Lockett landed five receptions for 67 yards.
“You have to enjoy the process and the growth process through the good and the bad,” Wilson said. “We played a great football game today.”
Through their victory, several members of the franchise expressed their sentiments for the Thousand Oaks community in the wake of the Borderline Bar shooting and rampant wildfires happening throughout Southern California.
“There’s a lot of things that are a lot bigger than football going on this week,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay. “I think our players have done a great job representing why they’re special people with their ability to try to use this platform that they do have as a way of putting their arm around some people.”
The first three possessions of the game ended with a score. Seattle struck first with Wilson sending a touchdown sling to tight end Nick Vannett. In under five regulated minutes, the Rams tied the game when tight end Gerald Everett received a 10-yard pass from Goff in the endzone.
Seattle bested the L.A. defense when Rashad Penny made a 38-yard rush into Rams territory. Penny made a scoring drive two plays later and Seattle regained the lead.
The defense on both teams grew stronger in the second quarter. Los Angeles could only score a field goal, closing their deficit to four points. The Rams defense rushed Seattle off the field without a score in the next possession.
Both teams used sacks and quarterback pressures to stop their opponents runs. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald sacked Wilson twice in the second quarter and landed five quarterback hits during the game. As halftime drew near Gurley scored his first touchdown on a 17-yard rush.
Los Angeles expanded their three-point lead to six in the third quarter with a successful field goal kick by Greg Zuerlein.
Wilson kept the Seattle momentum, with scrambles and rushes by Penny. The veteran quarterback connected with Lockett to score, placing the Seahawks ahead 21-20.
Los Angeles escaped two third downs with passes before the fourth quarter began. A 37-yard passing play to wideout Robert Woods put the Rams on the Seahawks 19-yard line. Goff targeted tight end Tyler Higbee for a 10-yard touchdown pass, but the Rams failed their two-point conversion.
Wilson scrambled for a combined 32 yards in two plays, gaining two first downs. Although they were denied the endzone, a field goal by kicker Sebastian Janikowski would put the Seahawks within two points.
The Rams were only allowed a field goal on their next possession but landed a key turnover when linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. sacked Wilson three plays later. The Rams offense started at the Seattle nine-yard line and Cooks scored a touchdown rush.
Seattle willed themselves down the field, scoring with two minutes left in regulation.
“It doesn’t matter how we win. Got the win,” Gurley said. “Five games up on the division. We’ll take it.”
The Rams’ Monday Night Football Game against the Kansas City Chiefs has been moved from Mexico City to Los Angeles and kick-off will be at November 19 at 5:00P.M.
