INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In the final game of the regular season, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and most of the starting offensive lineup were sidelined, opting to watch from the sidelines. Head coach Sean McVay was aware that a loss to the Seattle Seahawks would drop the Rams from the third to the fourth seed in the playoffs, but he chose to prioritize player health over the game outcome.
Even with a team of backups led by Jimmy Garoppolo, the Rams nearly achieved victory, highlighting the potential within the squad as they prepare for the playoffs. “We’ve got some dawgs on this team, man,” Garoppolo expressed confidently. “I know we’re going to show up next week ready to roll.” Despite the effort, Geno Smith tallied 223 passing yards and concluded with a career-high fourth touchdown pass to Noah Fant in the closing moments, leading the Seahawks to a tight 30-25 victory and marking the team’s twelfth winning season in the last thirteen years.
Garoppolo was impressive in his first outing for the Rams (10-7), throwing for 334 yards and two touchdown passes. The Rams had already secured the NFC West division title prior to the match due to their superior strength of schedule, which influenced McVay’s decision to rest starters like Stafford, receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, running back Kyren Williams, alongside four starting offensive linemen.
The loss, which marked the Rams’ first defeat since late November, relegated them to the fourth playoff seed, placing them behind Tampa Bay (10-7), who triumphed over New Orleans. Consequently, the Rams will face the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings, who lost earlier that day to Detroit, in the wild-card round on Monday night.
When asked about the significance of the first playoff opponent before the outcome of the Vikings-Lions game was determined, McVay replied, “I really don’t.” He acknowledged the respect due to all playoff teams and displayed a readiness to dive into preparation for the upcoming challenge: “We’re going to go for it with no fear.”
Throughout the game, Tyler Higbee and Tyler Johnson each contributed touchdown catches for the Rams, who boasted a strong record, having secured five consecutive victories and nine wins in their last eleven games since their bye week. Though many starters were on the field, snap counts were managed carefully, and McVay permitted offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to take charge of the play-calling duties.
Reflecting on the playoff landscape, McVay stated, “It’s going to be a great challenge, but I do know this: I’ve been fortunate enough to get into this thing before, and you can’t worry about ducking people.” He emphasized the necessity of playing against formidable opponents in order to make a significant playoff run, reiterating that the decision to rest players was made with the team’s best interests in mind.
The Seahawks did not find themselves trailing until the fourth quarter. Following Johnson’s 4-yard touchdown catch from Garoppolo and a resulting drive, the Rams regained a brief lead with Joshua Karty’s 38-yard field goal at 25-24 with just over seven minutes remaining. However, Fant quickly rebounded for the Seahawks with a 16-yard touchdown reception, bringing them back ahead, 30-25.
In a dramatic finish, Los Angeles moved into position but failed to convert on fourth down, with Garoppolo unable to find a receiver in the end zone with mere seconds remaining. “I’m telling you, man, this team is heading in the right direction,” Smith remarked, reflecting on his performance that saw him surpass 4,000 passing yards this season. He expressed optimism about the team’s future trajectory, regardless of individual outcomes.
For Seattle, the success of the game was marked by contributions from players like DK Metcalf, Jake Bobo, and AJ Barner, who each caught touchdowns, while rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba achieved a franchise-record 100 receptions in a season. The Seahawks concluded the season with six wins from their last eight games under new head coach Mike Macdonald, marking a significant turnaround despite missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
As the offseason approaches, the Seahawks will have important roster decisions to consider, particularly regarding potential extensions for key players such as Smith and Metcalf. Meanwhile, the Rams look forward to their first home playoff game in three years, setting the stage for an exhilarating postseason.
In terms of injuries, rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy exited the game early due to a back issue, while backup cornerback Tre Brown suffered a knee injury. For the Rams, running back Blake Corum faced a season-ending forearm fracture, and tight end Hunter Long also left the game with a knee injury.
As both teams look ahead, there’s anticipation for what will unfold in the coming weeks as they strive for success in their respective futures.
