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The Los Angeles Rams have been a consistent “choice” to go to London. Usually missing one of their scheduled “home” games to play across the Atlantic, the Rams have usually gotten the double whammy, losing a home game and getting beat halfway across the world.
This time however, the Rams buckled down and stopped the Arizona Cardinals dead in their tracks in a dominating 33-0 victory in Twickenham Stadium, London. Carson Palmer was knocked out of the game which allowed the Rams to hold the edge in literally every statistical category.
Points: 33-0
Yards: 425-193
3rd Down: 13/19 - 3/12
Total Plays: 78-47
Turnovers: 1-2
Todd Gurley carried the Rams offense with a strong 106 yard performance. Gurley seems to be rejuvenated and buying into McVay’s offense consistently this year. Here he goes in the end zone with a beautiful 18-yard touchdown run (Tavon Austin even did a thing!).
Todd Gurley. Ask about him... pic.twitter.com/pz7CkrC0ni
— Brandon Bate (@NoPlanB_) October 22, 2017
Gurley also helped in the passing game, where he caught four of eight passes for 48 yards. Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp all had solid games as well with each having multiple catches and at least 40 yards receiving. Kupp led all receivers with ten targets and cashed in with the lone receiving touchdown of the game.
Get the to @CooperKupp and watch him weave through the defense for SIX. #LARams pic.twitter.com/P64warKF7L
— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2017
Defensively, it helped that the Cardinals didn’t have their starting quarterback (get well soon) for a portion of the game. The Rams stuffed Adrian Peterson for long enough to build a comfortable lead, limiting the chances AP could have. Peterson finished the game with 21 rushing yards on 11 tries.
Larry Fitzgerald was also limited to just 29 yards and only saw three targets come his way. The Rams defense game-planned extremely well, limiting the Cardinals two best playmakers all day.
The new safety pairing of Lamarcus Joyner and John Johnson III seemed to work out well with Joyner coming back from injury and getting a nice interception. Johnson led all Rams defenders with five tackles, including four solo stops.
All in all, the Rams are sitting at a pretty 5-2 as they enter their bye week atop the NFC West standings. Fortunately for the Rams, the team has a limited number of injuries and can use the week to rest up and get ready for their stretch of games to seek a playoff berth. The Rams come back in Week 9 against the struggling New York Giants.