The Los Angeles Rams defensive group helped quarterback Mars Stafford overcome three consecutive interceptions with excellent performances, extending the team's winning streak to four games. At the lively Bank of America Stadium, the Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 30-23 to advance to the playoffs. This is the fourth time in the playoffs since Sean McVeigh became Rams head coach for five seasons.
The Rams extended their record to 11-4 and, with two games left in the regular season, led the Arizona Cardinals, who were 10-4, to top the League West. The generous Rams also helped the Cardinals today, and although the Cardinals lost to the Indianapolis Colts yesterday, Keller Murray must thank the San Francisco 49 and the Vikings for losing and letting Arizona make the playoffs.
The Rams will challenge the Baltimore Ravens on the road next Sunday and finally face division rivals the San Francisco 49ers at home, who beat the Rams five weeks ago. This season, the Rams suffered a three-game losing streak in November, losing to the Tennessee Titans, 49 and Green Bay Packers, and despite the tough times, they rebounded in December.
At one point in the past two weeks, the Rams have been unable to play, which has led to the NFL's scheduled game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Week 15 to Move to Tuesday, followed by today's game against the Vikings. During the match, Stafford advanced 197 yards on 21 of 37 passes, as if returning to the feel of a three-game losing streak, sending out three interceptions including being returned by the opponent to touchdown. This is the fourth time in the season that Stafford has made multiple mistakes, and the previous three times he has lost all of them. It was also the first time Stafford had thrown three interceptions since playing against the New York Jets in 2018.
The Rams' other players were strong enough that runback Sony Mitchell had his second 100-yard dash of the season, hitting 131 yards on 27 runs, including a 27-yard dash. The receiver has received more than 90 yards in 11 consecutive games and continues to march towards the offensive player of the year. Karp advanced 109 yards on 10 catches today, one person more than all the remaining players. The defensive team's tight scrutiny allowed the Vikings to play only 2 of their 12 third-gear transitions.
And in the Special Service, although Stafford sent consecutive interceptions, the return attacker Brandon Powell stepped forward in time to stop the loss. Powell staged a 61-yard return touchdown at the 40-yard line today, the second time this season that the NFL has abandoned a return touchdown and the first time since 2015 that the Rams have abandoned a return touchdown.
A win that brought Stafford, who joined the Rams from the Detroit Lions at the beginning of the season, to the playoff stage again after five years. The Rams also made the playoffs last year, but lost to the Packers. The last time the Cardinals made the playoffs was in 2015, when they lost to the Panthers in the National League Championship.
(Great White)