Greg 'The Leg' Zuerlein set a franchise record with a 60-yard field goal against the Seahawks. (US Presswire) |
The Rams improved to 2-2 (and 2-0 at home) without an offensive touchdown. In their 19-13 win over Seattle, the Rams picked off three passes for the second time this season. They executed a fake field goal to perfection, recovered Seattle’s onside kick try and got four field goals, including 60- and 58-yarders, from rookie Greg Zuerlein. The offense had just enough, committing only one turnover and converting five third downs of at least 10 yards.
Offense: C
Sam Bradford took the blame for the red-zone interception that wasn’t in Brandon Gibson’s zip code. But he hit eight different receivers and threw some beautiful deep balls. Rookie Chris Given got behind the defense twice, hauling in a 52-yarder and failing to grab another bomb. Danny Amendola caught at least five passes for the fourth straight game (6 catches, 55 yards, TD). Steven Jackson averaged 6 yards a carry in the first half before the run game stalled.
Previous game's grade: F
Defense: B+
The Rams generated consistent pressure on Seattle’s Russell Wilson, with DEs Eugene Sims and Robert Quinn getting sacks. Rookie CB Trumaine Johnson made a spectacular interception, and fellow rookie CB Janoris Jenkins caused another with his blitz hit on Wilson. CB Bradley Fletcher sealed the win with the team’s third INT. In fact, Rams DBs have more picks this season than all of last year. The defense allowed Marshawn Lynch to average 5.9 yards per carry, missing a slew of tackles, but got critical stops. Seattle went 2 of 9 on third down. The Rams have allowed one offensive TD each of the past two weeks.
Previous game's grade: B+
Special teams: A
It wasn’t just the fake field goal for a TD, or Zuerlein’s four field goals. When Seattle tried its own special teams trick, an onside kick to open the second half, LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar recovered at the Seahawks’ 48. That set up Zuerlein’s franchise-record 60-yard field goal.
Previous game's grade: B-
Coaching: A
Jeff Fisher changed momentum with the fake field goal. More important, he’s infused the team with a new attitude and resolve. “It kind of goes back to that attitude change that we’ve talked about since Coach Fisher’s been here,” Bradford said. “He made a big emphasis about winning games in the fourth quarter, early. As far back as OTA’s he made it known that we were going to be in close games and that this team was going to be tough enough to go down and win them late in the game."
Previous game's grade: D
Get more Rams updates and analysis from Larry Hartstein @CBSRams.