When you’re 1-4 and leading the defending Super Bowl champions at home by two points with a little more than two minutes left in the game, the idea of willingly handing your opponent the ball inside your 20 seems as appealing as throwing yourself into a pit of cobras.
That’s just what Rams coach Jeff Fisher risked with under three minutes to go in the fourth quarter against the Seahawks. The Rams faced a fourth down on their own 18-yard line and a punt seemed imminent, but the Rams hoodwinked the Seahawks for the second time on the day. Johnny Hekker threw to Benny Cunningham for an 18-yard game that iced a 28-26 win that also saw Stedman Bailey return a punt for a 90-yard touchdown after an elaborate fake that sent the Seahawks coverage team after Tavon Austin on the wrong side of the field.
Almost iced, anyway. The Rams got the first down that would end the game on a Tre Mason run shortly after the fake, but Mason lost the ball and a mad scramble ensued. The Rams recovered and went into the victory formation the rest of the way.
All of that came after the Rams gave back most of the 18-point lead they built in the first half. Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to get the Seahawks within two points, but he could never nudge Seattle back in front. Wilson finished the day with 313 passing yards and 106 rushing yards, an outstanding rebound from last week’s struggles, but not catching fire until the second half caught up with the Seahawks.
It would have helped if the defense could have stoned the Rams once they drew close, but Austin Davis led an impressive drive to extend the Rams’ lead to 28-19. It included a 30-yard completion to Chris Givens on a third down and a four-yard touchdown throw to Lance Kendricks, which helped Davis put an exclamation point on an efficient 18-of-21 performance. The Rams also got 85 yards and a touchdown from rookie Tre Mason and three sacks from their previously dormant pass rush, two things which they can build on in hopes of taking a big lead and just holding onto it next time.
If they don’t, though, at least we’ll be entertained with watching what they come up with next.
