LOS ANGELES – Keyed by a fast offensive start and late defensive stops, the Rams (8-5) defeated the Seahawks 28-12 Sunday night before a crowd of over 71,000 at the Coliseum.
Running back Todd Gurley recorded his ninth rushing touchdown of the season, adding 23 carries for 79 yards and four receptions for 34 yards. TE Tyler Higbee and WR Robert Woods shared the team lead in receptions with seven each, Higbee finishing with a team-high 116 receiving yards while Woods added 98 and one touchdown.
Defensively, linebackers Samson Ebukam finished with two sacks, with linebacker Dante Fowler and defensive tackle Aaron Donald each adding 1.5. Fowler's pair gave him 9.0 on the season, setting a new career high. Donald pushed his season total to 11.0, marking the third consecutive season he'll finish with double digits in that category.
A 39-yard field goal by kicker Jason Myers gave the Seahawks (10-3) an early 3-0 lead after they mounted an 11-play, 54-yard drive that chewed nearly six and a half minutes off the clock. Seattle had a 3rd and 3 from the Los Angeles 15, but a sack for a six-yard loss by Rams LB Samson Ebukam forced them to settle for three points. Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny, who had rushed for 129 and 74 yards over the last two weeks, was knocked out of the game on this series with a knee injury.
The Rams were quick to respond. Keyed by 19-yard and 15-yard catches by Woods and a 33-yard catch by Higbee, the 8-play, 75-yard drive was finished off by a one-yard touchdown run by RB Malcolm Brown to give Los Angeles a 7-3 lead with 5:12 left in the first quarter.
The Rams' defense forced a 3-and-out on the ensuing Seahawks offensive series, setting up another scoring drive which would extend L.A.'s lead to 14-3 after Goff connected with Woods from two yards out with 11:33 left in the second quarter.
A 10-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Kupp extended the Rams lead to 21-3 with 51 seconds left that they would also take into halftime.
The Rams got the ball to start the second half and appeared poised to carry over the momentum from the first. However, after crossing midfield, the Seahawks defense stepped up with a 55-yard interception off Goff returned for a touchdown. Myers' ensuing point after try was no good, though, making it 21-9 Rams with 12:54 left in the third quarter.
Diggs intercepted Goff again on the ensuing drive, allowing Seattle to take over at its own 3-yard line. L.A.'s defense stepped up and took advantage of Seattle's unfavorable field position, though, forcing a 3-and-out.
Taking over near midfield, a trick play by the Rams nearly resulted in a touchdown pass from Kupp to Higbee. Instead, the Rams settled for a 37-yard field goal attempt by Zuerlein that was blocked. Diggs' pick-six would be the only points of the period, leaving the Rams with a 21-9 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
A 7-yard TD run by Gurley with 11:07 left extended Los Angeles' lead to 28-9. Similiar to earlier ones, the scoring drive was made possible by big plays in the passing game: A 32-yard completion to Higbee and a 20-yard completion to Woods.
Myers added a 34-yard field goal on the ensuing Seahawks drive to cut the Rams' lead to 16 with 7:03 left. While L.A.'s ensuing drive ended with a punt, it chewed two and a half minutes off the clock, leaving roughly four and a half for Seattle to work with. A muffed punt by returner David Moore, however, resulted in Seattle starting their next offensive series from their own 18 instead of their own 25.
The Seahawks reached their own 59, and Wilson fired a desperation heave into the endzone intended for WR Tyler Lockett. Instead, it was picked off by Rams cornerback Troy Hill. The interception allowed the Rams to run out the clock, sealing the victory.
