A striking performance by running back Cam Akers, a choice of six from cornerback Darious Williams and a courageous performance by quarterback Jared Goff in place of injured John Wolford helped the Rams advance to the playoffs Divisional Round with a 30-20 win. Seahawks on Saturday at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Wolford started as a defender, but left the game with a neck injury at the end of the first quarter and did not return after being taken to the hospital for precautionary measures. However, Rams coach Sean McVay said after the game Wolford returned from the hospital and returned to the locker room smiling and celebrating with his teammates after the victory.
Wolford completed 3 of 6 attempts to pass for 29 yards before leaving the competition. Goff, meanwhile, stepped up and completed 9 of 19 attempts to pass for 155 yards and a touchdown in victory, just 12 days after thumb surgery. Wide receiver Robert Woods was receiving Goff’s lone touchdown pass, also ending with four 48-yard receptions.
Akers recorded 28 runs for 131 yards and a running touchdown, becoming the first rookie in the franchise’s history to run 100 or more yards in a playoff game. Adding his two 45-yard receptions, Akers totaled 176 yards of scrimmage, accounting for more than half of the team’s total 333 yards of attack.
Williams ’42-yard interception return for a touchdown marked the Rams’ first post-season defensive touchdown since January 20, 2002 against the Packers, when they had three of those scores.
In addition to Wolford’s injury, striker David Edwards left the game early in the second period with an ankle injury and did not return. Striker Aaron Donald suffered a rib injury with 10:04 to the end of the third quarter and it was questionable to return. After returning to the locker room after the injury, Donald returned to the Rams sideline at the end of the third period, but did not return to the field.
Linebacker Leonard Floyd was assessed for a concussion in the first half, but returned at the start of the third quarter. He and Donald ended up with two bags each.
Rams scored first with a 40-yard field goal from kicker Matt Gay for an initial 3-0 lead, 3:52 to go in the first quarter.
A 50-yard field goal from Seahawks kicker Jason Myers tied the game 3-3 with 10:34 remaining in the second quarter, but Rams responded in the next series with a 39-yard field goal from Gay to regain the lead by 6 – 3 – This scoring attempt was helped by a 44-yard completion from Goff to Kupp that placed Los Angeles at Seattle 28.