It hurts. It stings. As it should. The Los Angeles Rams (11-4) did not finish all 60 minutes (and then some) and that is why they are now in 5th place in the NFC. Thursday night was another example of Los Angeles still having yet to prove that they can consistently close out games. Ever since the 2024 Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rams are 1-4 in games where it came down to the final possession.
Wk 3 – Loss @ Philadelphia Eagles
Wk 4 – Win vs Indianapolis Colts
Wk 5 – Loss vs San Francisco 49ers
Wk 12 – Loss @ Carolina Panthers
Wk 16 – Loss @ Seattle Seahawks
In all 5 of those games, the Rams failed to execute a few plays that could have easily changed the outcome in their favor. Last night in Seattle was no different. Here are the five keys plays that handed the division lead to the Seattle Seahawks…
1. Sean McVay elects to kick XP after Puka Nacua’s 1 yard TD, (Rams 29 – Seahawks 14), 13:34 left in the 4th Quarter
This was pointed out a lot by people on X. The Rams casually elected to kick the XP when they were up 15 with one quarter left to play. The strategic move would have been to go for 2 in order to make it a three score game. Had Los Angeles done so and converted, they would have likely increased their chances of winning the game exponentially. Even if LA did not convert, the game would still have been a two score game and requiring Seattle to convert at least one two-point try. This is one of the moments where keeping your foot on the gas could have put away Seattle for good instead of keeping the door open.
2. Rashid Shaheed returns punt 58 yards for touchdown, (Rams 30 – Seahawks 22), 8:03 left in 4th Quarter
After intercepting a Sam Darnold pass to kill a drive, the Los Angeles Rams had a three & out on offense. Ethan Evans punted 43 yards (YIKES) to Shaheed in the middle of the field with no one in a 10 yard radius to make the tackle. The talented speedster took the kick towards the SEA sideline, getting past Derion Kendrick, Jordan Whittington, and company to make the game a one score game after a successful two point try to Cooper Kupp.
3. Inadvertent whistle and questionable call on Seattle 2 point try ties the game, (Rams 30 – Seahawks 30), 6:23 left in the 4th Quarter
It is the most talked about play last night which is unfortunate. For a game to be decided by something like this is an indictment on the NFL and referees. See for yourself…
4. Harrison misses first field goal of the year from 48 yards out, (Rams 30 – Seahawks 30), 2:11 left in the 4th Quarter
Los Angeles had multiple chances to still win the game despite blown coverages and breakdowns. After driving 51 yards in just over a minute, LA attempted a field goal from the SEA 29. The initial kick looked promising but it just kept pushing right.
5. Omar Speights blown coverage on final 2 point try gives Seattle win, (Rams 37 – Seahawks 38), 3:13 left in Overtime
The Rams had a good play call on the final 2 point try but Omar Speights came out of his zone coverage to follow the running back into the flat, vacating the middle of the endzone for Eric Saubert. Sam Darnold went through his progression and finally landed on Saubert for the easy conversion.
What other plays do you think caused the Rams collapse in the 4th quarter and overtime? Comment below.
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