After exploding for 51 points last week at the Giants, the L.A. Rams put on yet another show. On Sunday afternoon, they dominated the Houston Texans 33-7 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, after their offense came alive in the second half.
“We came out in the second half and got a couple big plays and turnovers,” said Rams quarterback Jared Goff who was 25-of-37 for a career best 355 yards, with three touchdowns, the sixth time on the year. “We’ve won four in a row now, we played well in every fascinate of the game and we trust our defense and they trust us, it’s all confidence and momentum.”
Goff, now joins Kansas City’s Alex Smith and New England’s Tom Brady as the only three quarterbacks in the NFL this season with multiple games passing for at least 300 yards, three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions.
The Rams were playing at home for the first time since Oct. 8, where L.A. simply did not perform well, losing 16-10 to their conference rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.
However, in the four games that followed — victories over Jacksonville, Arizona, New York and now Houston Texans — the Rams have outscored opponents 177-41, an incredible margin that has led LA to their first four game winning streak since 2003.
“It’s good to be back,” added coach Sean McVay. “I thought there was some good energy and the fans were excited today. Players made a lot of big time plays across the board. It was good to be able to have the fans out here and we enjoyed the atmosphere for sure.”
Only up 9-7 at the half, L.A. came out the gate and exploded for a 21-point third quarter, as Goff and his talented receiving core, continuously connected on big plays.
Former USC star receiver, Robert Woods was no stranger to the Coliseum’s end zone in 2012 as a Trojan and Sunday was no different as a Ram.
Woods, had a career day with eight receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns and also hauled in the longest play from scrimmage since 1964, in a 94-yard touchdown reception from Goff.
“Robert was able to kind of skinny inside of [Texans corner Jonathan] Joseph and run by him and finish and that’s where you kind of see that 200-meter juice,” said McVay. “I don’t think we can just talk about him as only a possession receiver anymore after his last couple weeks, so I’m very pleased with Robert.”
Shortly after another Texans punt, Goff hooked up with Sammy Watkins for a 17-yard touchdown, as the former Bills wide receiver has now posted touchdowns in back-to-back games.
Following the very next drive, LA’s defense continued to be a force as Rookie linebacker Samson Ebukam earned his first career sack on Houston’s Tom Savage, causing him to fumble, where Rams defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker recovered the ball at the 12 yard-line.
On the very next play, already in the red zone, Goff dropped back and connected with Woods for a 12-yard strike in the end zone for a touchdown, increasing L.A.’s lead to twenty-three points; 30-7.
“It feels good to be able to come to a new team and contribute and be apart a winning team,” said Woods. “Really just is working hard with these guys and we’re seeing it pay off now on Sundays, so that is our biggest thing.”
Rams running back Todd Gurley rushed 11 times for 68 yards and added six receptions for 68 yards, in total collecting 17 touches for 102 all-purpose yards.
Gurley knew how well of a day it was for their offense as whole but nevertheless, still realized that wouldn’t be possible if they didn’t get such a special performance on the defensive side of the ball.
“They have to be a number one defense in the last five or six weeks,” added Gurley. “They’ve just been lights out, we missed on the fake punt and those guys came out a got a turnover, so that’s big right there when the defense plays like that for sure.”
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald forced a fumble during the first drive of the game and has now done so in back-to-back games.
Linebacker Mark Barron intercepted Savage in the red zone in the second quarter and returned it 15 yards, as the Rams defense has now tallied at least one interception in eight-of-nine games this season.
“We’re just playing good,” said Aaron Donald. “Everybody’s making plays from the guys up front to the guys in the middle and guys in the back end, when you got guys making plays from all over the field, we can just win a lot of games.”
Whether people are all in on this Los Angeles Rams team or not, a huge stretch of two loss teams will be the challenge for L.A. in the upcoming weeks, as they will look to face Minnesota, New Orleans and Philadelphia, all games that would be tremendous statement wins.
