[ad_1]
On paper, it looked like fans were going to be in store for a big “Thursday Night Football” game.
While “awesome” might not be the right way to describe it, the game was certainly entertaining – and unusual -.
The Los Angeles Rams overcame a slow start – and survived a near-comeback led by Seattle quarterback Geno Smith after Russell Wilson injured his finger – to beat the Seahawks 26-17 at Lumen Field.
A slow start full of errors
At least for the first 30 minutes of the evening, the game did not live up to expectations.
Both teams entered the locker room with a total of 10 points and plenty of opportunities left on the pitch – including a missed basket and an interception in the end zone. Neither team converted on a third down in the first half, achieving a combined 0-of-7.
Now, that doesn’t mean it was all bad. Quandre Diggs had a savage interception after Matthew Stafford apparently tried to throw a ball into the back of the end zone. Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Troy Reeder also teamed up for an interception four games later.
It wasn’t until Wilson, after a nearly 50-yard pass interference call put them in position, found DK Metcalf for a 19-yard score that either team was on. table.
The Rams ended the half with a field goal and only scored four goals after Seattle missed its own 35-yard goal.
Geno Smith replaces Wilson after finger injury
Things got extremely interesting in the second half – thanks to a strange finger injury that led to Smith’s first action of the season.
Wilson’s throwing hand collided with Rams defensive end Aaron Donald’s hand in the third quarter just after he got rid of the ball, sending his middle finger out of place.
He tried to get back on the next drive, but Seattle made it three-and-outs. In the end, the Seahawks turned to Smith instead.
That decision, when they were down nine, almost worked.
Smith had a perfect 5 of 5 for 72 yards on his first practice and found Metcalf for a 23 yard touchdown.
This change in momentum, however, did not last long.
Stafford and the Rams had only needed six plays to find the end zone on their own and regain control of the game in an instant.
Smith quickly got the Seahawks back on the field, although they had to settle for a field goal to make it a one-point game. He got one final shot after the Seahawks defense made a huge save to give Smith just over two minutes to find the end zone and claim the win.
Smith’s big night, however, ended in the next play. He threw an interception directly at Rams safety Nick Scott after Tyler Lockett fell (or was knocked down) – which led to a 47-yard field goal for the Rams.
Stafford finished 25 of 37 for 365 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and Henderson led the Rams with 82 rushing yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. Robert Woods, although he couldn’t find the end zone, had 150 yards on 12 receptions.
Smith finished the night with 131 yards on 10 of 16 pitches in his run in the fourth quarter. Metcalf had 98 yards and two touchdowns in just five receptions. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said after the game Wilson was taken out of play because he just couldn’t hold the ball. He said it’s like “a serious sprained finger,” but that they need more evaluation to determine how bad it is, via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
The Rams are now 4-1 in NFC West, behind only the undefeated Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks are only 2-3 on the season – although that’s probably not their biggest concern at the moment. If Wilson’s injury persists over the next few weeks, they could have a bigger problem on their hands.
[ad_2]
Source link