The shorthanded Los Angeles Rams have done their best to stay competitive in games, and they put up a great effort in Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks.
The offense has had to make do without their primary weapon in Cooper Kupp, but they also have been feeling the effects of Matthew Stafford and Allen Robinson’s absence.
The Seahawks felt like a team that was tanking after trading away Russell Wilson in the offseason, but instead, they have been one of the feistier squads in the NFL. That was on display when they were able to come from behind in the fourth quarter and snatch a rare victory away from the Rams.
Los Angeles would lose 27-24, though it wasn’t for lack of effort as they kept things close throughout the afternoon. Despite a lackluster performance from John Wolford, who only threw for 178 yards and got picked off twice, the Rams were able to keep pace offensively. Most of that can be attributed to Cam Akers, who had his best game of the 2022 season, taking 17 rushing attempts for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
Wolford struggled to move the ball through the air, so the receivers had a relatively quiet day. Brandon Powell led the team in receptions with four for 39 yards, but it was Tutu Atwell who led L.A. in receiving yards with 48. Most of Atwell’s yards came on a 30-yard bomb, but after that, he did not see much action.
Defensively, the secondary had a hard time containing Seattle’s deep-threat duo of Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. Both Lockett and Metcalf were able to torch the Rams secondary and each receiver came down with explosive passes from Geno Smith. Lockett led all receivers with 128 yards and a touchdown, but his running mate in Metcalf was right behind him with 127 yards and a touchdown.
While the losses have piled up, it was good to see Los Angeles stay in the game and give themselves a shot to win in the final minutes. It’s disappointing for fans to have to deal with moral victories, but that’s all that they and the team can hang their hats on.
Up next for Rams
The Rams don’t get much time to dwell on their latest defeat as they host the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday Night Football.
L.A. will be without several key pieces against a Las Vegas squad that’s feeling themselves after earning a hard-fought victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
