Matthew Stafford, who became the fifth player in NFL history with 450-plus pass yards, 3-plus pass TDs and 0 INTs in a loss (Jared Goff, Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Cassel), wondered how a fumble can be advanced in that situation.
“I just want to know that rule,” Stafford said, per the L.A. Daily News. “Because I thought on plays like that — two-minute plays or two-point plays, inside of two minutes and stuff — I didn’t think you were allowed to advance a fumble.”
The play wasn’t the main driver of the Rams’ collapse, but it highlighted what can go wrong when an opponent is given life.
After dominating the first three quarters, generating 30 points, 405 yards and zero punts, the offense went cold, going three-and-out three straight series to open the door for Seattle. The defense, which forced three turnovers, allowed Darnold to move the ball in the final frame and overtime. And the special teams, which have been an issue all season, were brutal, giving up a punt return and missing a go-ahead fourth-quarter field goal, among other miscues.
Coaches often harp about it being a four-quarter game. The Rams didn’t show up in the final frame, and it cost them control of the NFC.
L.A. fell to 11-4, behind Seattle in the NFC West. The Rams’ chances of winning the division sit at 27%, per Next Gen Stats, with games remaining against the Falcons and Cardinals. Entering the game with the top spot in the conference, they now have just a 21% shot at taking the No. 1 seed, while Seattle’s odds have boosted to 51% to earn the bye. The 49ers, who face the Seahawks in Week 18, have a 19 percent shot at taking the top spot by winning out.
The Rams already clinched a playoff berth, but the collapse could make their road to a Super Bowl much tougher.
“We just went down swinging,” defensive lineman Kobie Turner said. “We beat them once, they beat us once. We’ll see them again. At the end of the day, we’re in the big dance, that’s what counts, that’s what matters. I don’t care where we’re at, I don’t care if it’s freezing cold, snow, rain, or I don’t care if we’re back at home, SoFi. I’m counting on my guys.”