Coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14, the Los Angeles Rams returned home to SoFi Stadium in Week 15 where they drew the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders don’t have anything left to play for as they were officially eliminated from the playoffs, though they gave the Rams a run for their money as they nearly pulled off a second-half upset. However, Los Angeles managed to hold them off in the fourth quarter and earned a win that propelled them into the final Wild Card spot.
The first quarter was a relatively quiet one as Los Angeles was the only team to score after Lucas Havrisik hit a 22-yard field goal. The drive featured several productive runs from Kyren Williams and a deep throw from Matthew Stafford to Demarcus Robinson for 21 yards.
Defensively, Los Angeles did a good job of getting pressure on Sam Howell, who was rushed into some errant throws. The defense even got a turnover on downs as they stuffed Antonio Gibson on fourth down in the red zone.
The second quarter featured a pair of fumbles from Williams, though it didn’t hurt the Rams as they were able to get stops after the turnovers. As for scoring, the first touchdown of the afternoon belonged to Williams, who ran up the middle one yard. At halftime, the Rams led the Commanders 13-0 and looked completely in control.
Toe-drag swag!
📺 @NFLonCBS | #ProBowlVote Tyler Higbee pic.twitter.com/0DkB0lGb8S
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 17, 2023
.@Kyrenwilliams23 puts 6️⃣ on the board!@NFLonCBS | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/tW3qIb5o77
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 17, 2023
ERNEST JONES WITH THE SACK!#ProBowlVote | @ernestjones53 pic.twitter.com/Qb92JsoK0L
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 17, 2023
NINE AND DIME! @NFLonCBS | @CooperKupp | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/j9gbVbV9rX
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 17, 2023
.@Demarcus grabs it in the endzone!
📺 @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/CxyiA3Tm7A
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 17, 2023
Hot potato interception! 🥔@C_JJ_Rozeboom x @iamjohnthethird pic.twitter.com/XIOf80woKI
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 17, 2023
Los Angeles wasted almost no time scoring in the third quarter as Stafford found a streaking Cooper Kupp in stride on the left sideline for a 62-yard bomb to make it to 20-0. However, Howell was able to respond after hitting Terry McLaurin for a pair of throws and finding Curtis Samuel in the end zone on a 19-yard strike to make it 20-7.
Just like the third quarter, the fourth quarter featured another quick score for Los Angeles as Stafford found Robinson in the right side of the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown. Meanwhile, John Johnson III came up with an interception after Christian Rozeboom tipped a ball in the air.
However, at this point the game started to turn as Havrisik missed a 43-yard field goal and the Commanders turned to Jacoby Brissett to lead them down the stretch. Brissett got Washington back in the game when he connected with McLaurin for a 29-yard touchdown.
Brissett followed it up with another touchdown, this time a dart to Samuel for the wide receiver’s second touchdown. However, Cobie Durant was able to block the extra point attempt, keeping the Rams up 28-20.
Washington opted for an on-side kick, and Kupp made the wise decision to bat the ball out of bounds to ruin the try. From there, Los Angeles was able to pick up a first down and end the game.
What’s next for Rams
Unfortunately for L.A., they don’t get much time to rest as they host the New Orleans Saints for Thursday Night Football.
With both teams sitting at 7-7, whoever wins will be in prime position to make the playoffs while the loser could find themselves on the outside looking in.
