Rams Overcome Zebra Interference, 12th Man for OT Win

In a game where it was expected to be a trench war between two rivals, it did not disappoint. In the Week 9 showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, the game itself was messy yet had everything a game of this magnitude was supposed to have. Had it not been for the questionable flags thrown in this game, it would have been a great filler for the afternoon slot. 

And when we say questionable, that is putting it lightly.

After Puka Nacua was “disqualified” for defending himself after getting held and shoved by a Seahawks defender, the Rams were able to overcome the adversity, as well as the 12th Man, to pick up their second straight win with a 26-20 win in overtime to improve to .500 for the first time this season. The win was not only the one that potentially put the Rams on the right path towards getting right, but it also got the Rams out the basement and close to the penthouse. The Rams now improve to 4-4 this season and are now second behind the shocking Arizona Cardinals in a NFC West that has been beyond competitive. 

The game itself was sloppy to say the least. While the rain was not pouring down during it, the flags filled the void of the missing raindrops. Both quarterbacks did their best to take advantage of the officials’ gifts. In the end, it took Geno Smith proving why he was the guy to replace Russell Wilson to send the game into overtime, and it took Matthew Stafford to be the guy that the Rams traded for to get the win.

Smith finished with 363 yards and a trifecta of both touchdowns and interceptions on 21/34 passing, while Stafford picked up where he left off last week with 298 yards and a pair of touchdowns and an interception on 25/44 passing. For the Rams, Kyren Williams’ streak came to an end as the Hawks kept him in check throughout the game. Williams finished with 69 yards on 22 carries and zero touchdowns. Cooper Kupp got his swagger back by finishing with 104 yards on 11 catches, but it was once again Demarcus Robinson who stepped up for the Rams in this game.

After Puka Nacua was ejected for what can only be described as one of the most all-time NFL bonehead calls since Bottlegate (Google Cleveland Browns Bottlegate if you need reference, kids), As Nacua was attempting to make a tackle after Stafford’s interception, Hawks LB Tyrel Dodson chose to continue being an annoying flea to Nacua which prompted the lightest of punches from him. This prompted the zebras in the game to penalized the Rams, uphold the interception and finally toss Nacua for the game. However, analysts believe the refs not only got it wrong, but they were overzealous in the ejection. After various replays clearly showed Dodson instigating and continuing the assault, the refs were trying everything in their power to help the Seahawks win the game. 

The end result for the Hawks’ drive was a touchdown to take a 13-3 lead at halftime. 

The Hawks had the game in their back pocket, but the absence of DK Metcalf proved detrimental to them as the Rams’ Kam Kinchens snagged an interception in the end zone leading to a 103-yd pick-six for the Rams to give them a 20-13 lead late in the game. The Hawks bounced back at the end of regulation thanks to Metcalf’s stunt double, Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 14-yard, game tying touchdown close to the end of regulation. 

After the Seahawks had to punt it away in overtime, the Rams methodically drove down the field, opting for Option B, which was air it out to anyone that the defense forgot.

Insert Demarcus Robinson once again. 

After a stellar performance last week against Minnesota, Robinson proved to be the equalizer as he snagged a one-handed, 39-yard dart from Stafford in overtime to send the Seattle Boo-birds home crying foul and the Rams back to LA with a much-needed win. With the victory, the Rams are not dead yet. In fact, this now puts them in contention for the NFC West, which is still wide open to this point. The Cardinals hold the advantage with a 5-4 record, while the Rams now improve to 4-4. The Niners are set to return from their bye week with their fingers crossed as they are hoping that All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey makes his return to the field for the first time since the Super Bowl. 

To this point, the Cardinals and Rams are in charge of their own destiny as they are first and second in the West respectively, while the Seahawks drop another one at home and fall to 4-5 heading into their bye week. As for the Rams, they get a moment in the spotlight as they will do battle with the Dolphins on Monday Night. 

All I got to say about these Rams right now is this: Rumble Rams Rumble!