|
|
LAR |
TEN |
Rams clinch 1st NFC West title since '03, beat Titans 27-23
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Los Angeles Rams and first-year coach Sean McVay saved the real celebration for the locker room.
That's where McVay, the youngest coach in modern NFL history, channeled wrestler Ric Flair after the Rams clinched the franchise's first NFC West title since 2003 by beating the Tennessee Titans 27-23 on Sunday.
''When you find a way to come on the road and finish up your road record 7-1 and win a division title, there's only one thing you can say. Woooo! One more: Woooo!'' McVay said before giving the Rams off until Wednesday.
Los Angeles trailed 23-20 before Jared Goff threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp with 11:41 left. The Rams (11-4), who came in needing a win or a loss by Seattle to secure the division, took care of business themselves, with Todd Gurley II and Goff leading the way again.
Gurley bolstered his argument for NFL MVP with 118 yards rushing and 158 yards receiving with two TDs, including a screen he took 80 yards for the longest reception of his career. He became only the third in NFL history to put together such a performance in the same game, joining Ollie Matson (1954) and Herschel Walker (1986). Goff finished with four touchdowns and 301 yards passing.
''He is in my book,'' Goff said, vouching for Gurley for MVP. ''If there's anyone out there that's a running back that deserves it, he's the guy.''
The Titans (8-7) lost their third straight game, damaging their chances of ending their own playoff drought stretching to 2008. The loss handed the AFC South title to the Jaguars, and Tennessee hosts Jacksonville in the regular-season finale needing a win to reach the postseason.
''We still have an opportunity to get into the playoffs, and that is the next objective,'' coach Mike Mularkey said.
The Titans had the ball and a chance to win late in the game. On fourth-and-4 at the Rams 44, Marcus Mariota rolled right and chucked the ball incomplete under pressure from Connor Barwin.
The Rams ran out the final 1:35 for their second straight victory and fourth in five games.
OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES
The Titans' penchant for settling for field goals was costly once again. They had four trips inside the Rams 20 and scored only one offensive TD on DeMarco Murray's 6-yard run. Ryan Succop kicked three field goals and missed a 45-yarder wide right. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard scored Tennessee's first defensive TD of the season on a 4-yard fumble return.
MISSING ZUERLEIN
Greg Zuerlein was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, and the Rams really missed their Pro Bowl kicker. Instead of letting Sam Ficken kick with Los Angeles at the Titans 32 on their opening drive, the Rams picked up a delay of game penalty the Titans declined. Then punter Johnny Hekker's pass intended for Michael Thomas was batted down. Ficken also missed his first point after attempt.
When the Rams turned first-and-goal at the Titans 7 into fourth-and-18, McVay sent Ficken out for a 36-yard field-goal try. The kick bounced off the right upright no good.
ONSIDE CONFUSION
It looked as if the Rams benefited from a confusing sequence in the third quarter. After Murray scored on a 6-yard run, the Titans recovered an onside kick. Succop said the official signaled live ball, so he tried the onside kick to steal a possession. But officials threw a flag, and referee Walt Anderson announced the Rams took their first timeout just before kickoff. Then he announced there was no timeout because the ball had not been put in play. Then he said, ''First down.'' The Titans kicked deep on the next try.
MORE TURNOVERS
The Rams forced a turnover on the opening drive for the eighth time this season. Linebacker Cory Littleton, starting with Mark Barron scratched, intercepted Mariota on the Titans' second play from scrimmage.
INJURIES
Rams left guard Rodger Saffold hurt his ribs late in the game, and Rams safety Marqui Christian hurt a shoulder.
Murray was helped to the sideline with 2:23 left with an injured right knee. Mularkey said Murray will have an MRI exam, but it doesn't look good.
UP NEXT
Rams: Host 49ers on Sunday.
Titans: Host Jaguars on Sunday.
( Corrects Safford to Saffold)
---
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL.
---
Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker
Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
T. Gurley
21 RB 118 RuYds, 158 ReYds, 2 ReTDs, 10 RECs |
38
FPTS
|
|
D. Murray
29 RB 48 RuYds, RuTD, 11 ReYds, 3 RECs |
11
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. GurleyÂ
30 RB
38 FPTS
|
T. Gurley | 13 | 10 | 158 | 2 | 80 | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. KuppÂ
18 WR
12 FPTS
|
C. Kupp | 6 | 4 | 65 | 1 | 34 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. WoodsÂ
17 WR
3 FPTS
|
R. Woods | 8 | 3 | 33 | 0 | 13 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. WatkinsÂ
12 WR
9 FPTS
|
S. Watkins | 7 | 3 | 30 | 1 | 16 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. HigbeeÂ
89 TE
1 FPTS
|
T. Higbee | 2 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. ThomasÂ
88 WR
0 FPTS
|
M. Thomas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. ReynoldsÂ
83 WR
0 FPTS
|
J. Reynolds | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
T. HillÂ
32 CB
|
T. Hill | 9-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. JoynerÂ
20 FS
|
L. Joyner | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JohnsonÂ
43 SS
|
J. Johnson | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. JohnsonÂ
22 CB
|
T. Johnson | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. LittletonÂ
58 MLB
|
C. Littleton | 3-4 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WalkerÂ
95 DE
|
T. Walker | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. DonaldÂ
99 DE
|
A. Donald | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Robey-ColemanÂ
23 CB
|
N. Robey-Coleman | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BarwinÂ
98 OLB
|
C. Barwin | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. ThompsonÂ
53 LB
|
C. Thompson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BrockersÂ
90 NT
|
M. Brockers | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ChristianÂ
41 DB
|
M. Christian | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. WestbrooksÂ
93 DE
|
E. Westbrooks | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. OgletreeÂ
52 ILB
|
A. Ogletree | 0-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. QuinnÂ
94 OLB
|
R. Quinn | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. FickenÂ
5 K
3 FPTS
|
S. Ficken | 0/1 | 0 | 3/4 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. HekkerÂ
6 P
|
J. Hekker | 4 | 50.0 | 1 | 57 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
P. CooperÂ
10 WR
0 FPTS
|
P. Cooper | 4 | 21.3 | 26 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
P. Cooper 10 WR
0 FPTS
|
P. Cooper | 1 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. MariotaÂ
8 QB
11 FPTS
|
M. Mariota | 22/39 | 275 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. MurrayÂ
29 RB
11 FPTS
|
D. Murray | 15 | 48 | 1 | 9 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HenryÂ
22 RB
2 FPTS
|
D. Henry | 8 | 25 | 0 | 10 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. MariotaÂ
8 QB
11 FPTS
|
M. Mariota | 3 | 24 | 0 | 14 | 11 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. DavisÂ
84 WR
9 FPTS
|
C. Davis | 9 | 6 | 91 | 0 | 37 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. DeckerÂ
87 WR
7 FPTS
|
E. Decker | 10 | 6 | 73 | 0 | 25 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. MatthewsÂ
18 WR
4 FPTS
|
R. Matthews | 4 | 2 | 48 | 0 | 25 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. WalkerÂ
82 TE
3 FPTS
|
D. Walker | 5 | 3 | 33 | 0 | 15 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. SmithÂ
81 TE
1 FPTS
|
J. Smith | 2 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. MurrayÂ
29 RB
11 FPTS
|
D. Murray | 4 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. HenryÂ
22 RB
2 FPTS
|
D. Henry | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. FluellenÂ
32 RB
0 FPTS
|
D. Fluellen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. TaylorÂ
13 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Taylor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
T. SmithÂ
33 CB
|
T. Smith | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. OrakpoÂ
98 OLB
|
B. Orakpo | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. WilliamsonÂ
54 ILB
|
A. Williamson | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ByardÂ
31 FS
|
K. Byard | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BrownÂ
55 LB
|
J. Brown | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CaseyÂ
99 DE
|
J. Casey | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. WoodyardÂ
59 ILB
|
W. Woodyard | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. WilliamsÂ
96 NT
|
S. Williams | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. WaldenÂ
93 LB
|
E. Walden | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CyprienÂ
37 SS
|
J. Cyprien | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. JohnsonÂ
94 NT
|
A. Johnson | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. DoddÂ
92 OLB
|
K. Dodd | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. McCainÂ
23 CB
|
B. McCain | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MorganÂ
91 OLB
|
D. Morgan | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
R. SuccopÂ
4 K
11 FPTS
|
R. Succop | 3/4 | 37 | 2/2 | 11 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. KernÂ
6 P
|
B. Kern | 4 | 36.3 | 2 | 62 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. JacksonÂ
25 CB
0 FPTS
|
A. Jackson | 3 | 36.3 | 57 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. Jackson 25 CB
0 FPTS
|
A. Jackson | 2 | 6.0 | 11 | 0 |