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Jalen Ramsey delivers in the clutch in Rams win over Cowboys

The $105 million man showed what he can do when he is focused.

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

When the Los Angeles Rams agreed to pay all-pro cornerback Jalen Ramsay up to $105 million over five seasons, they were hoping he could deliver some big plays at key moments.

The 25 year old did just that in the Rams 20-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys to open the 2020 NFL regular season. With Dallas trailing by three and just over five minutes on the clock, Cowboys quarterback looked like he would move the chains with a big third down complete to receiver Amari Cooper, but Ramsey had other ideas.

Dallas was forced to punt it away, giving the Rams possession, and the opportunity to force the Cowboys to burn a couple of precious timeouts.

Ramsey wasn’t done there. Dallas got the ball back with 2:28 remaining, but struggled to gain any meaningful yards against L.A.’s defense. Facing a 3rd-and-10 on the Cowboys’ 34-yard line, Prescott hit receiver Michael Gallup for 47-yard completion down the left sideline, and it looked like Dallas would at least have the opportunity to tie the game.

Or so we thought.

The officials called Gallup for offensive pass interference, and brought the ball way back to the Cowboys’ 24-yard line.

People can debate the penalty all they want, but that was a savvy move by Ramsey. He sold the call like a veteran, and did what elite defenders do.

When Ramsey is focused, it’s tough to find many corners in the NFL who are better. He is a difference maker on the Rams’ defense, and if he can maintain his focus, the $105 million man will be well worth the investment the franchise has made in him.

What did you think of Ramsey’s performance in Week 1?