In a game which saw the defences of the Los Angles Rams and Seattle Seahawks control the game with great defensive stands. The Rams managed to find a way to mitigate themselves into the NFC Divisional Round with a 30-20 win over the Seahawks.
The Rams and their number one ranked defence never gave Russel Wilson or the Seahawks offence time. In a game which saw more punts than either regular-season games between these two sides Rams rookie running back, Cam Akers broke the Rams postseason rookie record with 176 Yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
-
Quarterback switches, five completed passes and three points.
The first quarter was not filled with much excitement, but Rams head coach Sean McVay held the record this week for hiding the secret of his starting quarterback, leading some to think Jared Goff received a benching to help the Rams in the Wildcard playoff game. When in came John Wolford for his first playoff snaps in the NFL.
Wolford put his body on the line as he inspired an excellent drive after two three and outs. Seahawks defender Jamaal Adams lowers his shoulder on Wolford's helmet after he slides down for a first down. No penalty was given for Adams hit as Wolford was still an eligible runner. Wolford made his way off the field and did not return all game. On game Jared Goff. Who immediately got sacked for a loss of seven yards and the Rams kicked a forty-yard field goal.
Wilson and company got the ball back following the field goal, and Wilson got sacked twice.
Los Angles Rams 3-0 Seattle Seahawks
-
Pick six turns into a shootout.
The second quarter began with more three and outs, but there was no touchdown in the first twenty-three minutes. Three came in under five minutes. The playoff spirit came alive late in the second.
Russell Wilson started cooking something together and got three points on board with a five-play nineteen-yard drive. Goff finally had his first completion of the game in a forty-four-yard catch to Cooper Kupp, Goff's critics would argue it was underthrown. Despite the big play Goff and company could not get through the Seahawks brick wall of Bobby Wagner and kicked another field goal.
The Second quarter exploded with Wilson forcing the ball to DK Metcalf, the Rams defence knew all about this, and cornerback Darious Williams comes in front of the intended pass and returned it forty-two yards to the house for a pick-six. It is Williams third pick this season against Wilson.
Great quarterbacks make plays happen. Wilson again had to get on his bike as the pocket collapsed, Metcalf changes his route mid-play and leaves himself wide open for Wilson to throw across his body and let Metcalf run 51 yards for a touchdown.
Goff gets the ball steps up out of the pocket and throws right on the line of scrimmage, Cam Akers does the rest and runs for 44 yards to get the Rams into the RedZone. Akers gets the ball two more times and runs in for a five-yard touchdown. The first offensive touchdown for the Rams in two weeks. The rookie had a tremendous first-half amidst the turgid one in the first half with 144 yards from scrimmage for the second-round draft pick.
Cam Akers had 142 scrimmage yards and 1 rush TD in the 1st half
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 9, 2021
He joins @BigGame81 (109 rec yards, 1 rec TD in Super Bowl XXXIV win) as the only rookies in franchise history with 100+ scrimmage yards & 1+ TD in a playoff game
Los Angles Rams 20-10 Seattle Seahawks
-
A defensive game of football
The Seahawks carried on the third quarter as they did the first half, by stuttering. A good kick off return set up good field position but Wilson and the group cannot convert a first down and kick the field goal. Goff and company cannot keep up and punt.
The poor setting for both sign but the more significant troubling sign for the Rams was defensive powerhouse and force of nature Aaron Donald could not catch his breath following a sack on Russell Wilson. Donald headed for the locker room.
Since the Donald injury which saw him leave the field, both teams halted on offence. The third quarter saw a total of twenty-four yards for the Seahawks and forty for the Rams, including double the amount of incompletions over completions. The Rams had two excellent opportunities for interceptions; both were dropped.
It took until the final two minutes for Goff to record back to back first downs in the third quarter. The Rams gained good field position for the fourth quarter.
Los Angles Rams 20-13 Seattle Seahawks
-
Special teams mistakes cost you.
Goff and the Rams offence could not convert for a touchdown with the excellent field position and settled for a field goal.
It took another three and out from either side for the nail in the game's provisional coffin. As on a punt return, the Seahawks fumbled the ball, and the Rams recovered on the Seattle thirty-six yard line. It took four plays for Goff to find Robert Woods open for a fifteen-yard touchdown. Making the game a 17 point contest with under five minutes to go.
Wilson took two minutes of the game clock and ran eight plays moving 76 yards with the highlight play going to rookie Freddie Swain, who excellently kept his feet in bounds and secured a twenty-eight-yard pass. DK Metcalf secures Wilsons second touchdown of the day with a twelve-yard touchdown grab.
In an attempt to run down the clock the Rams go for it on fourth and one they do not get it and give the ball back to the Seahawks down ten a minute fifty-five to go, Russell cannot do it, however, as he is sacked twice and, threw two incomplete passes, to give the Rams advancement into the NFC divisional round where they will be either facing the Green Bay Packers or New Orleans Saints depending on results elsewhere.
Final Score
Los Angles Rams 30-20 Seattle Seahawks