It was a game of inches on Sunday as the Rams (9-4) lost a tough matchup with the Eagles (11-2), falling 43-35. Although L.A. took the lead late in the fourth quarter, a series of penalties and a significant giveaway cost the Rams their chance at victory. But even with the loss, there were still several key stats to take note of.
Check below for seven of the most interesting stats from Week 14:
1. GURLEY ECLIPSES 1,000 YARDS RUSHING
On Sunday, running back Todd Gurley rushed 13 times for a team-leading 96 yards on the ground. He also caught three passes for 39 yards, marking his 10th game of the season with over 100-yards from scrimmage. With his impressive performance, the Georgia product eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing on the season — the second time in his career that he's accomplished the feat.
Gurley is on pace for 1,274 yards rushing this season, which would mark a new high for the third-year pro.
2. KUPP SETS A ROOKIE RECORD
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp set a new franchise record for the most receptions by a rookie in a single season. With 56 receptions in 13 games, Kupp broke the previous record of 54 set by wide receiver Eddie Kennison in 1996. The Eastern Washington product led the Rams in both receptions (five) and receiving yards (118) on Sunday, marking a new career high with his second game of over 100 yards.
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Check out in-game photos from the Rams' Week 14 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
- GOFF THROWS HIS 22nd TOUCHDOWN **
Quarterback Jared Goff completed 16-of-26 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns. With his second touchdown of the day — a one-yard pass to wide receiver Sammy Watkins — Goff has thrown for 22 touchdowns this season. That's the most touchdowns by a Rams quarterback since Marc Bulger threw 26 in 2006.
4. SPECIAL TEAMS LEADS THE LEAGUE
The Rams recorded their third blocked punt of the season on Sunday when wide receiver Mike Thomas got his hands on Philadelphia punter Donnie Jones' kick in the third quarter. Safety Blake Countess scooped the ball up and ran it into the endzone to put the Rams ahead, 28-24. Through 13 games, the Rams' special teams unit has blocked a league-high three punts, one field goal and one point after attempt.
The next closest team in the NFL has blocked one punt this season.
5. ZUERLEIN ON PACE FOR SINGLE-SEASON RECORD
Kicker Greg Zuerlein may have only scored five points against the Eagles, but he is still on pace to lead the league in scoring this season. Currently, Zuerlein has totaled 148 points in 13 games and is on pace for 183 points overall. That would put him nearly 30 points above the next player this year and would bring him to No. 2 in NFL history — three points running back behind LaDainian Tomlinson who scored 186 points during the 2006 season.
6. OPENING DRIVE SUCCESS
For the second week in a row, the Rams have ended their opponent's opening drive with an interception on the first set of downs. In Week 13, safety Lamarcus Joyner intercepted Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert on Arizona's first play of the game. This Sunday, cornerback Kayvon Webster intercepted Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz on 3rd-and-5 from the Philadelphia 30-yard
line.
Both interceptions led to a Rams scoring drive on the following possession. In total, the Rams have scored 104 points off of 22 turnovers this season. And the Rams have recorded six takeaways on their opponent's opening possession in 2017, a figure that leads the league.
7. TURNOVER MARGIN
As such, turnovers continue to be an area of importance for the Rams this season. But this Sunday, the club recorded its first loss when tied or ahead of the turnover margin. Both the Eagles (two fumbles) and the Rams (one interception, one blocked punt) recorded two takeaways in Sunday's contest, but Philadelphia came out ahead in the final score.
Entering Week 14, L.A was 8-0 when tied or ahead of the turnover margin and 1-3 when behind.
