The Los Angeles Rams were sitting pretty throughout the first three-quarters of their Sunday afternoon contest against the Atlanta Falcons. But when things suddenly got extremely murky, Jalen Ramsey stepped up to seal the deal.
Ramsey picked off Marcus Mariota in the end zone and the Rams left SoFi Stadium with a 31-27 victory over the Falcons. Matthew Stafford threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns, but also added another pair of interceptions, bringing him up to five in the first two weeks. Meanwhile, Cooper Kupp was dominant yet again with 11 catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
On a Sunday where improbable comebacks were abundant, the Rams were nearly added to the group as well. Allen Robinson caught his first touchdown as a member of the Rams to get the scoring started and Kupp’s first touchdown at the end of the first half gave the Rams a comfortable 21-3 halftime lead. Kupp then started the scoring in the second half as the Rams were up 28-3, a score Falcons fans are all too familiar with.
Matt Gay’s field goal gave the Rams a 31-10 lead early in the fourth before things got crazy. Mariota’s touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus brought Atlanta within two scores. A blocked punt was then returned for a touchdown and the Falcons were suddenly back in the game with under five minutes remaining.
On the ensuing possession, Kupp would fumble, giving the Falcons the ball at the Rams’ 37-yard line with a chance to take the lead. But thankfully, the defense would step up as Ramsey would sky over Bryan Edwards to secure the interception and bring the Rams’ record to 1-1 on the season.
One thing the Rams were able to do was take advantage of Atlanta’s mistakes. All 21 of the team’s first-half points came on Falcons’ blunders as a missed field goal, turnover on downs, and Mariota interception all led to Rams scoring drives.
Tyler Higbee had another great game with 71 yards on seven receptions while Robinson bounced back after an awful Week 1 with four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. The Rams’ defense also held Atlanta to just 90 yards on the ground and 3.3 yards per carry while forcing three Falcons turnovers.
Unfortunately, the Rams did not escape this game unscathed as starting guard Tremayne Anchrum, who entered the lineup following an injury to center Brian Allen last week, suffered a fractured fibula and is headed to injured reserve.
Next up for the Rams
The Rams will next head to Arizona for the first of two straight divisional games on the road as they take on Kyler Murray and the Cardinals.
