Quarterbacks
Jared Goff wasn’t actually asked to do much of anything, but he still had a good day. Obviously looking at his box score of 14/21, 120-yards, two TD’s, one INT isn’t inspiring, but his play was. Goff looked completely opposite of the first encounter vs the Seahawks, showing so much poise and comfort sitting in the pocket waiting for receivers to uncover. The only blunder of his day was the tipped INT on 4th-and-short, but that one falls more on a bad play call.
Running Backs
Can we grade this any higher? Todd Gurley was a man possessed today, and there is simply no other way to put it. Gurley had a 21-152-3 rushing line (7.2 YPC), and chipped in with a 3-28-1 receiving line. The funniest thing about it, was Gurley was yanked with 8 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. The offensive line were producing massive holes, and Todd just allowed his athletic ability to take over. Gurley also had multiple runs where he broke a handful of tackles. The MVP award should absolutely include Todd Gurley as a potential recipient.
Wide Receivers
Just as Jared Goff didn’t need to do anything crazy, neither did the receivers. The Rams running game clicked, so they rode it, but the WR’s still had some great performances. It was great to see the return of Robert Woods, who was easily the Rams top WR with a 6-45-1 line. Cooper Kupp and Sammy Watkins had two catches a piece.
Tight Ends
As always, the Rams TE group wasn’t asked to do much. Tyler Higbee was the most productive TE on the day registering one catch for 14-yards. The TE group did perform very well in the run blocking department.
Offensive Line
The Rams had a 244-yard performance today rushing the ball, resulting in 5.7 YPC. Jared Goff was sacked twice (one being a strip sack), though he was rarely pressured. On multiple pass attempts Goff was given a pristine pocket to work in. This group had a marvelous day.
Defensive Line
Just go ahead and give Aaron Donald the defensive player of the year award. AD notched three sacks in the game, and multiple QB hits/pressures. He’s up to 11-sacks on the season, tying his career high. Michael Brockers also had 0.5-sacks. The Seahawks run game was completely non-existent.
Linebackers
The LB’s worked hand-in-hand with the DL in delivering a downright dominant performance. Like I mentioned above, the Seahawks running game could not have been more irrelevant. Not only that, but Robert Quinn managed two sacks (one a FF), Connor Barwin had a sack, and Matt Longacre chipped in with 0.5 sacks. This unit was flying to the ball. Keep an eye out on a injury update to Mark Barron who was replaced early in the game with ILB Cory Littleton.
Defensive Backs
The Rams DB’s were terrific, sensing a theme here? On the first drive of the game FS Lamarcus Joyner had a perfect tackle on a Seahawks WR that jarred the ball loose, resulting in a Rams recovery. Trumaine Johnson nearly had an interception or two, and Nickell Robey-Coleman continues to show a penchant for beautiful tackling. Now starting CB Troy Hill had a terrific day in his own right.
Special Teams
Greg Zuerlein went 2/2 on FG’s, and 4/5 on XP’s, continuing his terrific season. Johnny Hekker wasn’t asked to do much, thankfully, but the man solely responsible for this beautiful grade, is KR/PR Pharoh Cooper. Cooper had seven punt returns for an average of 18-yards per return, with a long of 53, and a total of 128-yards. The Rams started their drives in the Seahawks half of the field more often than not.
Coaching
This was truly a masterful performance for all three phases of the ball. Working in unison, and putting forth a truly complete game of four quarters, the Rams are now either a win or a Seattle loss away from winning the NFC West. Incredible.