L.A. hangs on; Wilson injured
SEATTLE — Matthew Stafford threw for 365 yards and a touchdown, and the Los Angeles Rams beat the Seattle Seahawks 26-17 on Thursday night in a game Russell Wilson left in the second half with a finger injury on his throwing hand.
Wilson missed significant game time because of injury for the first time after injuring the middle finger on his throwing hand. He was hurt by contact on a follow through midway through the third quarter. He attempted to direct one more drive before turning the game over to backup Geno Smith.
Held to just three points in the first half for only the fifth time in the regular season under Sean McVay, the Rams (4-1) woke up in the final 30 minutes and rebounded from their first loss of the season last Sunday to Arizona.
Stafford threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Higbee late in the third quarter to give the Rams a 16-7 lead, also appearing to play with an injured finger on his throwing hand. Stafford hit DeSean Jackson for 68 yards earlier in the quarter on third-and-10 that led to Darrell Henderson’s 5yard run that gave Los Angeles its first lead of the game.
And after Seattle (2-3) pulled to 16-14 in the fourth quarter, Stafford was 4-of-4 for 71 yards on the ensuing drive leading to Sony Michel’s 2-yard touchdown run with 6:08 remaining.
Robert Woods had 12 catches for 150 yards, and the Rams won their second straight in Seattle after last January’s playoff victory over the Seahawks.
Seattle pulled to 23-17 on Jason Myers’ field goal from 32 yards with 2:45 left. Seattle forced a quick punt after Carlos Dunlap batting down Stafford’s thirddown pass.
But Smith couldn’t lead a storybook final drive, with his first pass intercepted by Nick Scott as Tyler Lockett tripped making his break. Smith was 10-of-17 for 131 yards in the fourth quarter.
Smith was needed because Wilson’s fingers hit Aaron Donald’s arm on the follow through of a pass that nearly went for a touchdown but was slightly overthrown midway through the third quarter.
Wilson remained in for one more series and attempted one pass. He was sacked on third-and-5 by Donald, No. 88½ of his career setting a new franchise record — although the Rams records don’t include Deacon Jones as sacks weren’t an official stat when he played. Wilson never took another snap and finished 11-of-16 for 152 yards, one touchdown and his first interception of the season.