The Los Angeles Rams secure playoff spot with dramatic win over New York Giants

In a season that was initially seen as a transition after letting go of many established veterans to bet on youth, including 15 rookies on their roster, the Los Angeles Rams achieved something truly outstanding this Sunday.

The Rams, the second-youngest team in the NFL, punched their ticket to the NFL playoffs by beating the New York Giants in combination with the loss of the Seattle Seahawks a few hours later in their game against Pittsburgh.

Kyren Williams scored three rushing touchdowns and a Giants field goal attempt went wide in the final moments for the Rams’ heart-stopping 26-25 victory in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

But the long-suffering victory did not assure coach Sean McVay’s team (9-7) anything other than the fact of finishing the season with a winning record. The Rams had to wait about three and a half hours to find out if they would make the postseason in this Week 17 of the NFLfor which they needed the Seahawks (8-8) to lose at home against the Steelers, which happened (30-23).

Running back Kyren Williams runs 28 yards for his third touchdown of the game for the Rams. /Photo: Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

The Rams have become one of the hottest teams in the NFL in recent weeks, now with six wins in their last seven gamesand that only loss was in overtime and on the road against the best team in the league, the Baltimore Ravens.

The Los Angeles team, which won the Super Bowl two years ago, was 3-6 and had several key players injured in the middle of the season before beginning an extraordinary comeback that has now meant extending their campaign.

Rams survive 54-yard field goal attempt

In the game against the Giants (5-11), who were already eliminated, the Rams dominated the first half, but then made some mistakes, including two Matthew Stafford passes that were intercepted, two missed extra points and a long kick return for a New York touchdown.

That 94-yard Gunner Olszewski return brought New York within one point with 3:27 left in the game.. The Giants decided to go for the two-point conversion to go ahead, but they missed it on an incomplete pass by quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who had only one possible receiver.

The Rams tried to run out the remaining time, but they had to hand the ball over and then the Giants managed to get into the field goal zone. The Giants lost some important yards on a running play and Veteran Mason Crosby’s 54-yard field goal attempt went just wide left with half a minute left to declare the Angelina victory.

Kicker Mason Crosby (21) misses the field goal that would have given the NY Giants the lead in the final seconds against the Rams. /Photo: Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Ironically, Crosby was with the Rams a few weeks ago due to the irregularity of their own kicker, Lucas Havrisik. But LA decided to let Crosby go – who was later signed by the Giants – and this Sunday a mistake by the legendary kicker allowed them to emerge alive from a very brave game.

Rookie Puka Nacua is on the verge of making history with the Rams

Matthew Stafford completed 24 of 34 passes for the Rams for 317 yards, 1 TD and 2 interceptions. Kyren Williams ran 20 times for 87 yards and scores of 5, 2 and 28 yards. Rookie receiver Puka Nacua had 5 catches for 118 yards, including an 80-yard reception.

Puka Nacua was just 4 catches and 29 yards away from breaking the NFL records for catches (104) and passing yards (1,473) in one season for a rookie.

The Rams, who will close the season by visiting the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18, currently occupy 6th place. seeding of the National Conference. They can’t improve it, but they could still go down to 7a.

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2024-01-01 01:39:00
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