The end conclusion was all but certain; however, the Los Angeles Rams escaped Week 11 with a 21-19 win over the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams now lead the closely competitive NFC West division with an 8-2 record.
Seattle drew within one score after a Kenneth Walker rushing touchdown. The Rams needed to milk the clock, but ran only four plays before punting. LA’s Ethan Evans perfectly placed a punt at the one-yard line in order to stack the odds against the Seahawks. Seattle settled for a 61-yard field
goal attempt that never seemed to have a chance.
Which individual efforts deserve praise for the all-important win?
Winners
Ethan Evans, P
The Rams’ special teams unit has been oft-maligned this season, and deservedly so.
When LA needed it the most, Evans stepped up big-time to down a punt at the one-yard line and forced Seattle to earn every inch as they progressed toward field goal position. You couldn’t walk down and place a punt any better.
The end result? Sam Darnold and the Seahawks offense were slow in their operation, which chewed up clock and made them settle for a long-shot 61-yard attempt.
This punt was one of the single most important plays of the game.
Kamren Kinchens, DB
Kamren Kinchens has six career interceptions in two seasons. Four of his picks have come against the Seahawks, including the two he recorded last year around this time versus Geno Smith.
Kinchens set the tone early by stepping in front of a late Darnold throw over the middle of the field on Seattle’s opening possession. Darnold never saw him. The second interception came late in the third quarter and gave the Rams great starting field position that setup a touchdown to Colby Parkinson.
Kinchens is a good safety. He’s even better when he plays the Seahawks.
Kyren Williams, RB
Perhaps one of the mysteries of this game is why Kyren Williams didn’t carry the ball more. He toted the rock 12 times for 91 yards (7.6 average) and scored a fourth-down touchdown following three unsuccessful rushing attempts by Blake Corum.
Williams looked shifty, explosive, and found the open field. While the stat sheet won’t necessarily reflect it because of a low volume of opportunities, this was one of his most efficient performances as a Ram.
Steve Avila played very well in this game, especially as a run blocker. Some of Williams’ best runs came on the left side behind Avila.
Poona Ford, DT
Seattle is committed to their rushing attack but it’s not the most efficient nor dangerous. The Rams were able to mostly bottle up the run without running too heavy in their personnel, which plays into the Seahawks’ favor as they then look to throw the ball deep. Poona Ford was stellar in run defense and deserves a nod on the “winners” list, especially considering he started his career with the Seahawks.
- Kenneth Walker: 16 rushes for 67 yards (4.2 avg), 1 TD (44 receiving yards)
- Zach Charbonnet: 11 rushes for 37 yards (3.4 avg)
“Midnight Mode” uniforms
It was a cool scene at SoFi Stadium with the unique field paint and dark uniforms. The Rams’ looked good in their “Rivalries” jerseys. The crowd was very lowed when Seattle was attempting their late comeback, which should help dispel the myth LA doesn’t enjoy a home field advantage aside from a game or two per year.
Losers
Davante Adams, WR
Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams were red hot coming into this game. However, they reverted back to their early season form and never looked to be on the same page in Week 11. Adams was targeted eight times and caught only a single pass for a one-yard touchdown.
Stafford possibly missed Adams, and Adams wasn’t sure-handed either. It mostly seemed like a disconnect following very strong production over the last two or three weeks.
The Rams need Stafford and Adams on the same page moving forward, especially in the red zone.
Blake Corum, RB
While Williams had one of his most efficient days as a Ram, Corum was a drive killer (along with Adams). It was painful watching Corum rush unsuccessfully at the goal line three plays in a row, only for Williams to score on fourth down.
Corum rushes eight times for 10 yards (1.3) average).He caught one of two targets for negative five yards.
The Rams should have been more heavy handed with Williams’ usage in this game.
Bill of health
The Rams did not come out of Week 11 unscathed. They lost several key role players for the game, and their statuses in Week 12 and beyond are uncertain:
- Quentin Lake (elbow): Josh Wallace filled in at slot in his absence, but Lake is an important leader on the defense as well as productive player
- Xavier Smith (concussion): With Tutu Atwell out, the Rams don’t currently have a player to replace Smith
- Tyler Higbee (ankle): If Higbee misses time, does this keep LA from deploying 13 personnel at the same frequency?
