Rams running back Kyren Williams evades a tackle by Commanders K.J. Henry during first quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A pass intended for Rams Demarcus Robinson, #15, is out of reach as Commanders Benjamin St-Juste, #25, defends on the play during second quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rams Troy Reeder, #59, sacks Commanders punt kicker Tress Way, #5, deep in Rams territory during second quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rams John Johnson, #43, brings down Commanders Kyu Blu Kelly, #24, during second quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rams Tyler Higbee, #89, dives for yardage over Commanders Khaleke Hudson, #47, during second quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rams Kyren Williams, #23, scores during second quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Rams’ Demarcus Robinson celebrates a long gain during first quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rams Demarcus Robinson, #15, evades Commanders Percy Butler, #35, for a long gain during first quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Commanders Kyu Blu Kelly, #24, looks for a way out as Rams defenders Christian Rozeboom, #56, and Byron Young, #0, bear down during first quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rams Kyren Williams, #23, fumbles the football away to the Commanders on a run during first quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, #9, gets sacked by Commanders Daron Payne, #94, during first quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rams Kyren Williams, #23, fumbles the ball away to Commanders Kamren Curl, #31, during second quarter action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
INGLEWOOD – The Rams defense spent most of the first half of Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders bailing out the offense’s mistakes. But breakdowns on back-to-back drives – one that allowed Terry McLaurin to score, another that he took to the Rams 1-yard line – it was up to the defense to clean up its own mistakes as the Rams clung to a 14-point lead with 4:47 to play.
What followed can only be described as the epitome of the football cliche: Bend but don’t break.
It took Washington nine plays – aided by a fourth-down pass interference on CB Derion Kendrick – to reach the end zone. By that time, there was only 1:50 left on the clock, and the Rams picked up the requisite first down to close out the game with a 28-20 win.
And it took several instances of cleaning up mistakes for the Rams (7-7) to beat the Commanders (4-10), but they led 20-0 early in the third quarter and 28-7 early in the fourth before Washington made it a contest.
When running back Kyren Williams – in the midst of his fourth 100-yard performance in five games – lost his first fumble of the season, the Rams defense forced a three-and-out, a pressure from Byron Young forcing Commanders QB Sam Howell into an off-balance screen pass that hit the turf.
Williams got some redemption by punching in a touchdown on the ensuing drive. But when he lost his second fumble of the game, the defense again responded with a three-and-out courtesy of a third-down sack by linebacker Ernest Jones. A groundball long snap on the punt, and the Rams took over at the Commanders 15.
But the Rams stalled, even after roughing the passer call on third down gave them another opportunity to reach the end zone. It was the second time the Rams reached an and-goal situation in the game and had to settle for a field goal.
The offense received the second-half kickoff, though, and responded with its second-longest touchdown play of the year.
Receiver Cooper Kupp went in motion, moving left behind the offensive line. When he cut up field, no Commander reacted to cover him. By the time Matthew Stafford’s pass reached Kupp, he had 16.95 yards of separation from any defender, per NFL Next Gen Stats, and he could jog into the end zone for a 62-yard score.
The Rams defense had its own mistakes to atone for in the first half, too. The unit struggled to contain Howell and he had a couple of big third-down scrambles, one that picked up a first down and another that led to a fourth-down conversion. But when the Commanders went for it on fourth down again on that drive, rookie Nick Hampton was ready to swat away the pass and get the Rams off the field.
Denial of responsibility! Chronicles Live is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials, please contact us by email – chronicleslive.com. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
