Sunday 7 January 2018 17:31, UK
The Atlanta Falcons took advantage of mistakes by the Los Angeles Rams in the first NFC Wild Card game to come away with a 26-13 victory. Julio Jones had nine catches for 94 yards and a touchdown, while the Falcons defense shut down the NFL's top scoring-offense.
Offensive fireworks were expected early and often in this game, but instead it was an edgy affair, particularly at the start. Matt Bryant kicked a pair of field goals for Atlanta in the first quarter, while the Rams offense looked overwhelmed. Los Angeles star return man Pharoh Cooper fumbled a kickoff return, and Atlanta running back Devonta Freeman capitalised with a three-yard plunge to make it 13-0.
At that point, the Rams had put up just 29 yards through four possessions. However, they finally received a spark from their superstar running back Todd Gurley, who burst through the Falcons line for a 26-yard gain. Jared Goff found receiver Cooper Kupp for 15 yards, and just three plays later, hit his rookie again for a 14-yard touchdown.
With momentum on their side, the Rams sacked Matt Ryan twice in short succession and received the ball with just over a minute left until the half. Goff was masterful on a six play, 67-yard drive, but a number of reviews and flags slowed everything down and they ultimately settled for a 35-yard Sam Ficken field goal. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, that was the last sign of life for the offense until it was too late.
The Falcons came out flying in the second half, utilising their two runners Freeman and Tevin Coleman on a 16-play, 76-yard, eight-minute drive, but were forced to take three points to make it 16-10. Again the Rams struggled, and Atlanta controlled the clock and added another field goal as the third quarter was coming to an end along with the hopes of the Rams' usually high-powered offense.
Ficken's fourth-quarter field goal brought the Rams back to within six, but the final nail in the coffin was when Atlanta took the ball 83 yards in eight plays, ending the drive with an eight-yard touchdown to from Ryan to Julio Jones to put the Falcons up 26-13 with just under six minutes remaining in the game.
The Rams made a late surge, but Tyler Higbee dropped a Goff strike in the end zone with just over two minutes to go and L.A. subsequently turned the ball over on downs.
Overall, it was a stunning all-round performance by the Falcons. They held the NFL's top-scoring offense to just 13 points, and controlled the ball on offense for a large part of the game. Matt Bryant converted on all four of his field goal attempts, and the team was turnover-free.
While the Rams will look to build off a strong first season under Sean McVay as their off-season gets underway, the Falcons will prepare for a trip to Philadelphia to face the NFC's No 1 overall seed next week in a battle of the birds.
