Rookie corner Durant has memorable game
INGLEWOOD » Rams rookie cornerback Cobie Durant waited three months, but he finally crossed the end zone Sunday during L.A.'s 51-14 victory at SoFi Stadium against the Denver Broncos.
Durant recorded two of the Rams' four interceptions on Christmas Day and took the second one 85 yards for his first career touchdown. Durant, the Rams' fourth-round selection this year, said that was his first picksix since high school.
The South Carolina State product had his first career interception in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons and returned it 51 yards before being stopped at the 9-yard line.
“I finally did it,” Durant said about what he thought when he saw open space near the left sideline and headed for the end zone. “That's been a dream come true. I have three career picks as a rookie.”
Rams middle linebacker Bobby Wagner took blame for why Durant didn't score in Week 2 against Atlanta because of a missed block.
“That was amazing,” Wagner said. “I kinda messed up his first pick-six, so it was nice for him. No one had to block and he just went fast. That's what I expected the first time.”
Durant said Wagner told him Merry Christmas after scoring the touchdown that put the Rams over 50 points on Sunday.
Higbee's records
Tyler Higbee's standout performance against the Broncos on Sunday included two touchdown receptions and three franchise records.
Higbee set the Rams' career records for tight ends in receptions (299), receiving touchdowns (20) and receiving yards (3,063).
Three of Higbee's 20 career touchdown receptions have come in the past two games with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who joined the team earlier this month. Higbee, who had nine receptions for 94 yards versus the Broncos, didn't have a touchdown catch during the first 13 games of the season.
“It was pretty cool,” Higbee said about the records. “I was aware of a couple of them, but not really my concern. I was trying to win a football game and do what I can to help this team.”
Mayfield credited Higbee for their instant chemistry on the field.
“Friendly target,” Mayfield said. “I did not know that he was that close (to the records), but that's special and I'm happy to be here and be a part of that.”
Rams-Chargers flexed out of prime time
The Rams' New Year's Day matchup with the Chargers was moved from “Sunday Night Football” to a 1:25 p.m. kickoff at SoFi Stadium.
The all-Los Angeles game was bumped for the Pittsburgh Steelers' road game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Rams' memorable comeback win against the Las Vegas Raiders was on “Thursday Night Football” and the loss to the Green Bay Packers was on “Monday Night Football.”
The Rams' win against the Broncos was one of three games on the Christmas Day NFL slate.
Sack attack
Michael Hoecht, Leonard Floyd, Jonah Williams, Larrell
Murchison and Wagner combined for the Rams' six total sacks against the Broncos. The Rams also recorded 12 quarterback hits Sunday.
Murchison, who was claimed by the Rams off waivers on Dec. 12, had two of the six sacks. He was a 2020 fifthround pick of the Tennessee Titans.
“Murchinson, I just met him 15 minutes ago,” Rams head coach Sean McVay jokingly said.