The Los Angeles Rams hosted the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night in a game that held importance for both teams. In the end, Los Angeles prevailed over the Seahawks by the score of 28-12 to improve their chances of sneaking into the playoffs.
The Rams were able to seize control of the game from their first offensive drive. Following the defense forcing the Seahawks to a field goal to begin the game, Jared Goff drove the offense down the field with ease.
After completing three of his four passes for 67 yards, Malcolm Brown punched it in for a touchdown to give Los Angeles a 7-3 lead. From that moment on, the Rams never surrendered the lead to Seattle.
Considering the circumstances, this was arguably the most complete performance for the Rams in 2019. While their playoff hopes were hanging in the balance, they delivered with an impressive showing on Sunday Night Football.
With the win, Los Angeles improves to 8-5 and remains just one game behind the Minnesota Vikings for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC. Given that, here are three takeaways from the Rams' crucial win over the Seahawks in Week 14.
3. Todd Gurley is a focal point of the offense once again
For the majority of the regular season, Todd Gurley's usage in the Rams' offense was a hot topic in the media and for good reason. In his first eight starts, the two-time All-Pro averaged less than 15 touches per game.
As a result, many questioned why Sean McVay was managing Gurley's workload so tediously. But in the past four weeks, McVay has reverted back to having Gurley as a focal point of the offense.
Furthermore, the dual-threat running back has averaged 21 touches per game over his past four starts. That continued last night with Gurley having 27 touches for 113 yards and a touchdown.
If Los Angeles hopes to garner a playoff spot, they'll need to ride the coattails of their workhorse running back.
2. Sean McVay has made plenty of adjustments in the offense
On Sunday night, for the second week in a row, the Rams' offense showed glimpses of being the group they were in 2018. One reason why the offense has looked vastly better in the past two weeks is due to McVay making wise adjustments.
Of course, McVay went back to incorporating jet sweeps with wide receivers in his gameplan as he did often last year. But along with his usual tendencies, the bright head coach also deployed more 12 personnel (two tight ends) sets to combat Seattle's base defense.
Above all, McVay has made adjustments to begin running Gurley up the middle more. By doing so, the play-action passes are becoming effective once again for the Rams.
It took McVay some time to alter his scheme but his latest modifications have aided in Los Angeles' resurgence in the playoff race.
1. This defense is one of the best groups in the NFL
When the Rams chose to surrender a hefty ransom to acquire Jalen Ramsey, many questioned the reasoning of the move. Despite not recording an interception yet, his presence has definitely been felt on the field.
Besides Ramsey, the entire defense has been playing lights out for the majority part of the season. In Sunday night's contest, Los Angeles' defense contained Russell Wilson to 245 yards and one interception while sacking him five times.
Aside from the games against the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Rams have allowed only 13.8 points per game. That would be second in the NFL behind the New England Patriots.
The resurgence of the Rams' offense coupled with the stifling defense could be a recipe for Los Angeles to control their own destiny in the NFC.
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