Los Angeles Rams 28, Seattle Seahawks 12: Statement made

On the back of a nearly perfect first half overall and a nearly perfect game of defense, the Los Angeles Rams dispatched of the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14, 28-12.

The offense put in a sparkling first half. QB Jared Goff was sharp, RB Todd Gurley was lively and WR Robert Woods was incisive downfield and on lateral moves while TE Tyler Higbee was the reliable blanket he so often is for Jared.

But the real story might be what happened over the course of the game when the Seahawks had the ball. While the Rams’ defense matched the offense for the first 30 minutes to build a 21-3 halftime lead, the two diverged thereafter. The offense sputtered but the defense perhaps looked even better finishing with 11 hits on QB Russell Wilson who for the first time all season didn’t throw a passing touchdown. It was a comprehensive, wire-to-wire shutdown for Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips’ boys.

And in the end, it was more than a game. It was a statement.

The Rams remain on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. But if they’re capable of playing this well down the stretch? They might give themselves an opportunity to chance that.

Statement made.