Rams Survive Giants, Retain Control of Playoff Destiny

The Los Angeles Rams survived a second-half push from the New York Giants to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Rams Survive Giants, Retain Control of Playoff Destiny
Rams Survive Giants, Retain Control of Playoff Destiny /
In this story:

The Los Angeles Rams needed a win and a Seattle Seahawks loss to secure a playoff spot on Sunday during their trip to MetLife Stadium.

Fortunately for the Rams, they were able to do just that, surviving a second-half push from the Giants to take home a 26-25 win thanks largely to a three-touchdown day from Kyren Williams.

At first, the Rams looked like they were set to run away with the game, leading 20-10 late in the third quarter. But after a host of mistakes, including a second-half pick from Matthew Stafford, the Giants were able to crawl their way back into it.

USATSI_22200990
Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK

New York even had two chances to take the lead in the final three and a half minutes of action as well, with Gunner Olszewski returning a punt 94 yards for a touchdown to pull the Giants within a point. 

But, after a penalty on the Rams on the extra point attempt, New York elected to go for two and failed, with Tyrod Taylor making an inexplicably bad throw on a short pass to Saquon Barkley, leaving the score at 26-25 in favor of L.A.

Then following a stop of the Rams on the next possession, the Giants failed again, this time thanks to a Mason Crosby missed field goal from 54 yards out, sealing the win for Los Angeles.

WATCH: Giants Fan Tries to Steal Kyren Willams TD Ball From Mom

Stafford, who ended the game by completing 24 of 34 passes for 317 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions, took a knee to end the game, icing the win. 

Now with the win in their pocket, the Rams will anxiously await the results of the Seahawks' tilt vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in the afternoon slate, hoping their NFC West Division rivals will help them clinch a playoff spot with a loss.

After that, it will be on to Week 18 for L.A. where they will face the No. 1 NFC seed San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.


Published
Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com