Rams’ Surprise Hero Sounds Off on Game-Saving Play After Seahawks Win
The Los Angeles Rams secured an absolutely monumental victory over their division rivals, the Seahawks, in a game that could not only play a part in deciding the NFC West but will have wide-ranging implications in the overall NFC playoff picture.
The win brings the Rams to 2-1 in the NFC West with wins over the Seahawks and 49ers and a loss to the 49ers. They are now tied with the Eagles for the best record in the NFC and they have a one-game lead over Seattle in the division (and a game and a half lead over the 49ers).
Coming up, Los Angeles faces the Buccaneers, Panthers, Cardinals, Lions, Seahawks, Falcons, and Cardinals. It’s a tough stretch to close the year, though the Rams will be favored in most of those games. This win over Seattle gives the Rams a little margin for error and a major head-to-head tiebreaker — at least for now.
The Los Angeles Rams’ Unsung Hero was Punter Ethan Evans
Ishika Samant/GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Ethan Evans #42 and Joshua Karty #16 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrate a field goal during the first quarter against the
There are many who deserve credit for the Rams’ massive win. RB Kyren Williams had 91 yards on just 12 carries, powering the offense in the first quarter and scoring a touchdown. WR Puka Nacua had 75 yards and seven receptions and had several key conversions late, both through the air and on the ground. Los Angeles’ defense held Seattle without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter and picked off Seahawks QB Sam Darnold four times.
But when the Rams needed it most, veteran punter Ethan Evans delivered a knockout blow. With 1:50 left in the fourth quarter and the Rams leading by just two, Evans punted the ball back to the Seahawks from his own 49-yard line and pinned them inside their own one-yard line. It was a perfect punt, bouncing out of bounds just shy of the pylon.
“It was great, you know? I didn’t even realize it was like a game-saving punt,” Evans said after the game. “I just went out there and treated it like it was any other punt. Shoutout to [Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn] and [Rams assistant special teams coach] Ben Kotwica for trusting me to go out and execute in a big moment. I’m thankful for my teammates and everything.”
Los Angeles Rams P Ethan Evans on the Impact of His Punt
“No, I realized on the field,” Evans said in response to a question on if his teammates told him how impactful his punt was. “I saw it bounce way up in the air, and then saw it bounce out of bounds, and then the ref finally called it [out] at the one-yard line. So that’s when I just went crazy.”
The Rams defense played lights-out all afternoon, but Evans’ punt essentially ended the Seahawks’ hopes of a game-winning field goal drive. They had to settle for a 61-yard field goal, which Seattle K Jason Myers missed. Had Evans not pinned them so deep, the kick would have been shorter, and perhaps Myers would have made it, leading to a Rams loss.
Aaron Rodgers’ Wrist Injury Could Stifle Pittsburgh Steelers’ Playoff Hopes
The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to fend off the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 despite losing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a wrist injury.
Sunday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the initial fear from one source is that Rodgers suffered “a slight break” in his wrist. Rodgers will undergo further testing on Monday to determine the full extent of the injury and how much time will be missed.
Schefter elaborated that it’s shaping up to be backup quarterback Mason Rudolph against the Chicago Bears next week.
Rudolph was 12-of-16 passing for 127 yards and one touchdown in relief of Rodgers. He was able to seal the 34-12 victory against the Bengals and send the Steelers to 6-4.
The Cleveland Browns didn’t do the Steelers any favors when they collapsed against the Baltimore Ravens. But with a 6-4 record, the Steelers are still on top of the 5-5 Ravens and in sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
But if Rodgers is forced to miss significant time, playoff hopes in Pittsburgh could be all but over.
This offseason, the Steelers signed the 41-year-old hoping to upgrade from Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, who both departed in free agency. While Rodgers took his time committing to Pittsburgh formally, the Steelers brought back Rudolph who flamed out in his lone season with the Tennessee Titans. They also drafted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard on Day 3.
Without Rodgers, this Steelers squad barely has a chance. Even though Rudolph is in his sixth season of serving a backup role, he’s been wildly inconsistent when given significant action. The Titans were starving for a solution at quarterback when they turned to him, and he threw nine touchdown passes to nine interceptions.
More importantly, this Steelers offense leaves a ton to be desired.
Running back Jaylen Warren somehow isn’t used enough on a weekly basis. DK Metcalf was a big offseason acquisition who has been inconsistent. But outside of Metcalf? Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are Pittsburgh’s other pass catching options.
The Steelers have the luxury of playing in a dreadful AFC North, but the Ravens are coming. Lamar Jackson was horrible in Week 11’s win against the Browns, but the Ravens still mustered an impressive win against an elite defense. They’ve won four straight games.
While Rudolph put together a respectable stat line in replacement of Rodgers, everybody knows how bad Cincinnati's defense has been.
The Bears are 7-3 and host the Steelers on Sunday. After that, the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills before traveling to Baltimore. Things are getting serious in Pittsburgh, and they could be without their starting quarterback.
