If you missed it, the Rams won their first close one of the season. A recap follows: I warn you, it was an ugly win, but it is sure prettier than a 1-1 start to the season.
1st Quarter
After making their way down the field, the Colts offense spent their remaining four downs on the Rams 1 yard line. The Rams defense held up to this season’s expectations, ending the Colts 49-yard drive without giving up a score. On the next Rams’ drive, Stafford hit running back Darrell Henderson for a 23-yard gain. After a series of passes and runs down the field, Stafford capped the drive with a 16-yard touchdown strike to Cooper Kupp. Stafford has clearly found his favorite target, and the duo is thriving.
2nd Quarter
Colts kicker Rodrigo “Rocketship” Blankenship, nailed a 48-yard field goal at the start of the 2nd quarter, making it a 7-3 game. On the next series for the Rams, Stafford targeted Kupp but was intercepted by Safety, Khari Willis giving the Colts the boost they needed to make this a very close game. Just as the Colts maneuvered into scoring range, QB Carson Wentz threw an interception to Rams’ Troy Reeder. The Rams marched down the field where the drive stalled on the 16-yard line. Matt Gay hammered a 34-yard field straight down the middle of the uprights giving the rams a ten-point lead, commencing the battle of the kickers. Blankenship and the Colts followed with a 46-yard field goal of their own, making this a 4 point game heading into halftime.
3rd Quarter
The dynamic duo struck again. Stafford completed a short pass to Kupp, who made an electric 43-yard run. Henderson broke through with a touchdown giving the Rams an 11-point lead. With three minutes left in the third quarter, Wentz electrified the crowd by hitting Zach Pascal for an 8-yard score. The Colts then opted for a 2 point conversion attempt, successfully completing their second such conversion of this short season. On the ensuing possession, the Rams’ punting unit turned the ball over near the goal line, and the Colts seized this opportunity to take their first lead of the game 17-21.
4th Quarter
The Rams weren’t down for very long thanks to another couple of Stafford and Kupp connections. Two minutes into the 4th quarter, the Rams were back on top 24-21 with Kupp’s second touchdown of the day. The Colts, led by Wentz marched down the field and tied the game with another Blankenship field goal. Once again, the Rams responded with a Matt Gay field goal of their own, taking the lead back at 27-24. On the Colts’ next possession, Rams Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald, made an explosive tackle on Carson Wentz which proved disastrous to any hopes of the Colts pulling this one out. Wentz who was barely able to walk off the field was replaced by Jacob Easom. The Rams effectively put this game out of reach by forcing Wentz out of the game. The Rams hung on to win their first “nail biter” of the season, 27-24. No, it wasn’t pretty, but they won on the road, and share a piece of first place in their division.
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