SEATTLE – For a moment, it felt like the script was falling into place for the Rams. Quarterback Matthew Stafford broke a tackle on fourth down to pick up the first with his feet. Breaking down the Seattle Seahawks’ defense with his usual precision as the Rams tried to overcome a four-point, fourth-quarter deficit in the NFC championship game.
But facing third-and-4 at the Seattle 6, Stafford tried to fit the ball into rookie Konata Mumpfield on a comebacker, only for it to be broken up by Seahawks corner Devon Witherspoon. Then Stafford tried to find rookie Terrance Ferguson in the back of the end zone on fourth down. Again, Witherspoon crashed into the tight end for the breakup.
The Rams needed one stop for another chance at glory. They got it with 25 seconds left to play. But Puka Nacua was tackled in bounds with two seconds left and the clock ran out, the Rams losing 31-27 and ending their season one win short of the Super Bowl.
The Rams’ offense looked as if it was feeling out the hostile environment in its opening possessions. Chunk plays to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams moved the Rams down the field, but they settled for two early field goals. Meanwhile, the Seahawks turned their explosive – a 51-yard go ball to Rashid Shaheed – into a Kenneth Walker touchdown around the edge.
But when the Rams got the ball back with 9:18 to go in the half, they had settled in and adjusted to the decibels at Lumen Field. A methodical 12-play drive moved 87 yards in 7:23 of game time. Head coach Sean McVay went deep into his playbook for a counter draw to Blake Corum to pick up 19 yards.
Then the coach went back to the well under the two-minute warning. Two receivers lined up to the left ran inside slants, drawing the Seahawks’ secondary with them. This allowed running back Kyren Williams to slip out of the backfield unnoticed. Stafford found him, and he had time to turn and watch the defense trail as he crossed the goal line for an 8-yard touchdown.
The score gave the Rams a 13-10 lead and left the 68,773 at Lumen Field silent for the first time all evening. When the Seahawks went three-and-out and gave the Rams the ball back with 1:33 to play, it felt like the Rams had a chance to crush Seattle’s spirit before halftime.
Instead, the Rams went three-and-out themselves. And the Seahawks responded with a 34-second touchdown drive with a 42-yard ball to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a touchdown to the same receiver, who lined up in the backfield and escaped unaccounted for into the corner of the end zone.
The momentum had flipped. Instead of a three-point lead – or even a 10-point one – the Rams went into the locker room down four. And that further compounded when returner Xavier Smith fell backwards trying to field a punt, allowing the Seahawks to recover and go up 11 on a Jake Bobo touchdown the very next play.
But Stafford and Adams negated the damage in short order. Stafford picked up 40 on a pass over the fingertips of a defender to Colby Parkinson, then found Adams for 29 to the Seattle 2. The next play, Stafford connected with Adams on an out route for a touchdown.
The issue, though, was that the Rams’ defense got no time to rest during that four-play drive. And the Seahawks moved 65 yards in nine plays, ending in a touchdown to former Ram Cooper Kupp.
It appeared like the Rams would have to punt the ball away after an incompletion on third-and-12. But when Seahawks defensive back Riq Woolen ignored an official’s first warning about taunting the Rams’ sideline, he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Rams got a new set of downs, but did not need them. Instead, Stafford launched the ball to Nacua – with Woolen in coverage. Nacua fell backwards over the pylon for a 34-yard touchdown.
A sack by safety Kamren Kinchens and a third-down breakup by Cobie Durant got the Rams the ball back. But the Rams would not score again.
Related Articles
NFC championship game: Rams face Seahawks in drama-laden third act NFC championship game: Rams at Seahawks – who has the edge? Alexander: For Rams to win, Matthew Stafford must play like an MVP Rams WR Davante Adams looking to reach ‘mythical place’ in 5th NFC championship game appearance How Kyren Williams has grown as a leader for Rams on the field and in the communityHence then, the article about rams can t complete comeback in nfc championship loss to seahawks was published today ( ) and is available on Los Angeles Daily News ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Rams can’t complete comeback in NFC championship loss to Seahawks )
Also on site :
- Country Icon Carrie Underwood’s Latest Career Announcement May Leave Fans Disappointed
- Leonardo DiCaprio Reacts to Co-Star's Oscar Nomination Snub
- Here's What Airlines Owe You if Your Flight Was Canceled or Delayed During This Weekend's Winter Snowstorm