Rams hold off Lions, 28-19: Everything we know from ugly Week 7 win

The Lions gave everything the Rams had. They pulled off two fake punts, an onside kick in the first quarter and converted four times on third down late in the fourth. But despite the Rams’ best effort to lose another embarrassing game to a winless team, just as they did last year against the Jets, they were able to hold on and win – just barely.

Los Angeles managed to beat the Lions 28-19 at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, earning its sixth win of the season. It was secured by Matt Gay’s 47-yard field goal with 58 seconds left, surviving a valiant effort from the Lions.

Here’s everything we know from Sunday’s game, an admittedly ugly win for the Rams.

Final score: Rams 28, Lions 19

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws the ball during the second half in the game against the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Game notes

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The Lions pulled out all the stops against the Rams, digging deep into their bag of tricks. They converted a surprise onside kick after their opening touchdown, then picked up a first down with a fake punt on their second drive, leading to a field goal. In the third quarter, they ran another fake punt and it worked again.

The Rams’ third-down defense was decent for the first three quarters, but on the Lions’ late fourth-quarter drive, they converted four times in four attempts before Goff threw his end-zone pick. That nearly led to a go-ahead touchdown by Detroit but Jalen Ramsey had other ideas.

It was an ugly win by the Rams, and the game wasn’t as lopsided as the nine-point margin indicates. They were outgained by the Lions, 415-374, and failed to run the ball successfully; they rushed for just 47 yards on 19 carries. The Rams are fortunate to have gotten the victory with the way they played.

Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford continued their dominance together, connecting for two more touchdowns. Kupp gained 156 yards on 10 catches, feasting on a bad Lions secondary.

The Lions’ only touchdown drive came on their first possession, scoring on a 63-yard touchdown pass from Goff to D’Andre Swift. Other than that, they had four other drives finish with field goals.

It was over when...

… Matt Gay drilled a 47-yard field goal to put the Rams up 28-19 late in the fourth quarter. Had he missed that kick, the Rams would’ve given the ball back to the Lions only holding a six-point lead, making it possible for Detroit to pull off the upset with a game-winning drive.

Fortunately, Gay came in clutch as he typically does and helped secure the win for the Rams.

3 stars of the game

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Jalen Ramsey: 6 tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 TFL, 1 INT

Matthew Stafford: 334 yards, 3 TDs

Cooper Kupp: 10 catches, 156 yards, 2 TDs

Play of the game

Ramsey showed why he’s the best defensive back in the game when the Rams needed him most. He picked off Goff in the end zone just as the Lions were threatening to score a go-ahead touchdown, helping the Rams secure the win.

It came on his birthday, no less, giving him even more to celebrate tonight.

What's next?

The Rams will head to Houston in Week 8 where they will take on the Texans, who were just crushed by the Cardinals on Sunday. It’s another game the Rams should win, and they’ll be heavily favored for the third week in a row.

The Texans could get QB Tyrod Taylor back next week, however, which would make them a more formidable foe.

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