Highlights & Takeaways From Rams’ Week 17 Win Against Giants
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Rams have a knack for making things harder for themselves than they need to, and that was the case again as they narrowly beat the New York Giants on the road in Week 17.

The Rams were able to hold on and beat the Giants 26-25, though they did just about everything they could have to throw away a crucial win. However, the victory plus the Seattle Seahawks’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers ensured Los Angeles would be in the postseason.

The opening drives for both teams weren’t optimal as the Rams turned it over on downs deep in the red zone while the Giants were forced to punt. The two teams then traded touchdowns as Kyren Williams and Wandale Robinson traded rushing touchdowns to make it 7-7 at the start of the second quarter.

Matthew Stafford later found Cooper Kupp for a five-yard touchdown to give Los Angeles a 14-7 lead before a Demarcus Robinson fumble allowed New York to kick a field goal that made it a 14-10 L.A. lead at halftime.

The third quarter featured one of longest plays of the day for as Stafford hit Puka Nacua on the right sideline that the wideout took 80 yards. It set up Williams’ second rushing touchdown of the day, though Lucas Havrisik missed the extra point to make it 20-10.

The Giants immediately responded as Tyrod Taylor found Darius Slayton streaking downfield for an 80-yard touchdown, and Stafford was picked off on the following drive that set up a New York field goal to make it 20-19.

As they have most times this season, the Rams answered with their own scoring drive as a Stafford strike to Robinson for 37 yards preceded a 28-yard run from Williams. Despite the impressive run, Havrisik missed his second extra point that gave the Giants an opening trailing 26-19.

After forcing a turnover on downs and a punt, Los Angeles seemed like they would cruise to a victory but the special teams unit allowed a punt return touchdown that made it 26-25. Fortunately, the defense caught a break when Taylor and Saquan Barkley were unable to connect on a two-point conversion.

L.A.’s gift didn’t last long though as Stafford took a sack and they were forced to punt the ball away again. However, luck was on their side as Mason Crosby missed a 54-yard field goal and the Rams would escape with a win.

Up next for Rams…

Los Angeles will close out their 2023 season on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, who clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Both teams have clinched what they were looking for already, so it will be interesting to see how many starters play or rest on both sides.