Goff’s gutsy Rams remain unbeaten
Former Cal QB seals win over Seattle with 4th-down sneak
SEATTLE >> The Los Angeles Rams could have played it safe and punted rather going for it on fourth down with less than 2 minutes remaining inside their own territory against the Seahawks on Sunday.
That’s not the style of head coach Sean McVay, or these still unbeaten Rams.
Rather than give the ball back to Russell Wilson, Jared Goff plowed forward to convert the fourth-and-1 with 1:39 left, sealing the Rams’ 33-31 victory that kept Los Angeles perfect at 5-0.
Running back Todd Gurley carried the load, rushing for three touchdowns, and Goff passed for one score and threw for 321 yards despite losing two of his top receivers to concussions in the first half. But it was the final plunge by the Cal product that left the Rams with a threegame lead in the NFC West.
“That offense has (guts) and we’re riding behind them,” defensive end Michael Brockers said.
Cairo Santos atoned for a missed extra point with a 39-yard field goal with 6:05 remaining to give the Rams a 33-31 lead, capping a 61-yard drive that took 4½ minutes.
That still left time for Wilson, but Seattle (2-3) made a pair of crucial mistakes after moving into position to win. Wilson hit Tyler Lockett for 44 yards on the second play of the drive to the Rams’ 32-yard line. But a pair of penalties backed up the Seahawks to the Rams’ 45. Facing third-and-23, Wilson was pressured from the pocket and Seattle punted with 3:38 left.
The Seahawks never got the ball back. “That was hard. We’re there. Knock a couple more yards out, kick a field goal and win the game,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “Unfortunately we didn’t get it.”
Gurley had runs of 12, 2 and 7 yards on the final drive, but was stuffed on thirdand-1 at the 42 with 1:39 left. The Rams initially trotted out punter Johnny Hekker, but Seattle used its final timeout following a measurement. Given more time to think about it, McVay put the offense back on the field.
“It was all riding on that one play and we got a really, really good jump on them up front,” Goff said.
Rams receivers Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp both suffered concussions late in the first half. Los Angeles turned to the likes of Josh Reynolds, Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett to make up for the absences. And the team leaned heavily on Gurley and wide receiver Robert Woods. Gurley finished with 77 yards rushing. Woods had five catches for 92 yards.
“You need to know that when these games come around, can you finish. That’s what we did today,” Gurley said.