From the AFC we transition to the first NFC divisional round game. Game 2 of this Saturday would feature the Los Angeles Rams (13-3) and the Dallas Cowboys (11-6). The Rams had 1 of the 2 byes for the NFC whereas the Cowboys had to beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round. These match-ups pit well rested against more game experience, so which would prevail in this spirited contest. The game would be played in Los Angeles, but would the home crowd be able to push their team to victory? Time to find out.
See Also the results from the AFC game Here!
The game had a slow start as there were only 10 points scored in the 1st quarter. The team who would draw first blood would be the Rams off a 25 yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein making it 3-0 Los Angeles. The Cowboys would respond to this field goal with a touchdown as Dak Prescott would find Amari Cooper in the end-zone for the 29 yard touchdown strike making it 7-3 for Dallas. Heading into the 2nd quarter now we’d see the Rams take control. First to capitalise was Zuerlein with a 23 yard field goal cutting the deficit to 7-6. The Rams weren’t done there as they would then get their first major score of the game courtesy of C.J. Anderson. Anderson would punch home the 1 yard run to give the Rams the lead back at 13-7. After that it was Todd Gurley’s turn to get in on the scoring as he’d get a 35 yard run that he’d take to the end-zone. This would put the Rams up 20-7 going into halftime as Zuerlein would miss a 63 yard attempt to end the half, but the Cowboys were unwilling to just roll over and give up.
Los Angeles would score first in the 3rd as Zuerlein would get his 3rd field goal of the game, this one from 44 yards out giving the Rams a 23-7 lead. Dallas would again respond with a touchdown this one from Ezekiel Elliott from 1 yard out, and with a successful 2-point convert the Rams lead was cut to 23-15. The Rams would pull away again in the 4th as C.J. Anderson would score touchdown number 2 on the game. This one also from 1 yard out making it 30-15 Los Angeles. The Cowboys would get it back though as Prescott would punch in a rushing touchdown from 1 yard out making it 30-22. That’s however where the comeback would fall short as The Rams would run out the clock, and secure a birth in the NFC conference round.
Oddly enough this contest like the previous would also be one where the quarterbacks were far from the difference makers of the game. Jared Goff put up very mediocre numbers going 15/28 for 186 yards. Dak Prescott had a better game going 20/32 for 266 yards and 1 touchdown. This game was huge for the Los Angeles running backs as 2 had over 100 yards. C.J. Anderson had more yards and touchdowns with 123 yards and 2 touchdowns on 23 yards, Todd Gurley also had a strong showing getting 115 yards and 1 touchdown on just 16 carries. As expected Ezekiel Elliott would lead the ground game for the Cowboys getting 47 yards and 1 touchdown on 20 carries. No Ram receivers had any touchdowns, so the best receiving performance goes to Robert Woods who had 6 catches for 69 yards. Amari Cooper had the Cowboys receiving touchdown but the top receiver was actually Michael Gallup who had 119 yards on just 6 catches. Greg Zuerlein did all the field goal work in the game going 3/4 on the night.
Game highlights can be viewed Here!
This bolts the Rams to the NFC conference finals to play either the Philadelphia Eagles or the New Orleans Saints. That result will be determined tomorrow, so be sure to check out the results on Fandomwire.
