Friday 16 December 2016 08:08, UK
The Seattle Seahawks locked up the NFC West with a 24-3 victory over their division rival Los Angeles Rams. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes, while No 1 draft pick Jared Goff left the game in the fourth quarter with possible concussion.
In 140 characters...
Third title in four years for Seahawks, who move to 9-4-1. Struggles continue for LA, who fail to score a touchdown for the 4th game this year.
MVP
Tyler Lockett has been battling a knee sprain this season, but the second year showed his value, catching seven passes for a career-high 130 yards. He also added a touchdown - his first receiving score this year.
Game-changer
During the first quarter, the Rams summed up their ineffective offence in one drive. Mistakes came from across the unit, including a dropped catch from receiver Mike Thomas, a lack of play-making confidence from running back Todd Gurley, and both excellent and desperate throws from rookie QB Jared Goff. Whoever gets the head coaching job in LA has some great talent, but much work to do.
Stat of the night
7 - Russell Wilson has never lost a game in the NFL when the Seahawks are up by seven at half time. That's 32-0, for those keeping score.
The game
After a slow start, Seattle took the lead following a 13-play, 93-yard drive. The Seahawks were gifted two penalties, including a defensive holding call on 4th and one, which set up the touchdown. Wilson found his tight end Luke Wilson, who broke a tackle and dived into the endzone for an eight-yard score.
Having failed to move the chains, the Rams then ran a trick play on fourth down, as punter Jonny Hekker attempted to make a pass to Thomas, but threw short of the receiver. Though Wilson could not move the chains on the resulting drive, Seattle settled for the 48-yard field goal to go 10-0 ahead.
Los Angeles responded with a field goal at the end of the second quarter, Greg Zuerlein converting the 36-yard score with less than a minute to play. The kick is the first time in three games that the Rams have scored in the first half.
Doug Baldwin stretched Seattle's lead with a one-yard catch following an eight-play, 62-yard drive, and Lockett completed the rout ten seconds into the fourth quarter.
On third and 11, Wilson connected with the wide receiver deep down field. Breaking his coverage, Lockett sprinted away from cornerback Trumaine Johnson to catch the 57-yard touchdown pass before tumbling into the endzone.
Goff left the game on the Rams' next drive after taking a big hit from Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, and Seattle saw the rest of the game through to confirm their place in the play-offs.
Seattle's defensive end Michael Bennett also left the game after sustaining a neck injury. After losing safety Earl Thomas for the season last week, the Seahawks will be hoping Bennett can return without losing significant time.
Los Angeles drop to 4-10, but despite several mistakes, there were positives from the visitors.
Interim head coach John Fassel gambled on several plays and, although they didn't pay off in Seattle, there were signs of life from this young team.
