Rams hold off Seahawks in nail-biting thriller at SoFi Stadium

INGLEWOOD, Calif.— In a game that lived up to the hype of a West Coast showdown between two first-place teams, the Los Angeles Rams emerged victorious in a nail-biting 21-19 win over the Seattle Seahawks. With the game on the line in the final seconds, Seahawks kicker Jason Myers missed a 61-yard field goal attempt, giving the Rams their most hard-fought win of the season.

The game was a back-and-forth battle that showcased both offensive fireworks and standout defensive performances. The Rams debuted their new alternate "Midnight Mode" uniforms, and while the jerseys were bold, it was the defense that stole the show, forcing four interceptions off quarterback Sam Darnold.

The Rams wasted no time asserting their dominance in the early moments of the game. After a failed fourth-down attempt on their opening drive, the defense quickly turned the tide. Kamren Kinchens intercepted Darnold’s pass on the very next play, setting up a short 2-yard touchdown run by Kyren Williams. Williams continued his strong season, rushing for 76 yards in the first quarter—his second-most in a single quarter during his career.

Williams’ 2-yard score put the Rams up 7-0, and he became only the fourth player in franchise history to record 40 or more scrimmage touchdowns over a three-year span, joining the ranks of Rams legends like Marshall Faulk, Todd Gurley, and Eric Dickerson.

Seattle would respond with a 57-yard field goal from Myers to make it 7-3, but the Rams quickly reasserted themselves. With just over a minute left in the first quarter, wide receiver Davante Adams caught a beautiful touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-3. The score marked a special milestone for Adams, who recorded his 1,000th career reception—becoming just the 17th player in NFL history to reach that achievement.

"I mean, anytime you score in this league, it's a blessing, especially when you know it's for your 1,000th catch with elite company," Adams said, soaking in the moment.

Adams has been on a tear this season, now leading the NFL with 10 receiving touchdowns, and he’s found the end zone in four consecutive games.

While the offense did its part, it was the defense that delivered the game’s defining moments. The Rams’ defense made life miserable for Darnold all afternoon, forcing him into four interceptions—including two by Kinchens.

After a quiet second quarter, the Rams were back on the attack in the third. After Darnold’s second interception, courtesy of Cobie Durant, the Rams’ defense gave the offense a short field to work with, and tight end Colby Parkinson made the most of it, catching a 6-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to extend the lead to 21-9.

But the Seahawks weren’t done yet. Despite the turnovers, Seattle managed to keep things close, scoring a field goal and adding a late touchdown to pull within 21-19. With less than two minutes remaining, the Rams’ defense had to stand tall one final time.

Enter punter Ethan Evans as he delivered a clutch 50-yard boot, pinning the Seahawks at their 1-yard line with just 1:39 left in the game. Seattle’s offense had one last chance to pull off the improbable, but their drive stalled, and Myers’ 61-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. The Rams held on for the win.

"I just went crazy," Evans said of his game-changing punt. "Headbutts, hugs, high fives—you name the celebration, we were doing it."

Matthew Stafford was solid, though far from spectacular, finishing 15-of-28 for 130 yards and two touchdowns. He had a quiet afternoon, but in the end, that was enough. Stafford’s connection with Adams has been a key to the Rams’ success all season, and though he didn’t have to throw the ball 40 times, his timely passes were crucial when it mattered most.

In the process, Stafford moved one touchdown pass closer to a historic milestone—he’s now just one touchdown pass away from surpassing Marc Bulger (122) for third place on the franchise’s all-time list.

Despite the offensive struggles at times, Stafford was quick to praise his defense after the game.

“I think our defense played outstanding," Stafford said. "They deserve to be partying in there like crazy. They were playing as good as anybody in the NFL right now, and to come in there and put up a defensive effort like that, it was pretty special.”

While the Rams’ defense was on fire, they were also dealing with injuries. Safety Quentin Lake left the game in the second half with an elbow injury, but the next-man-up mentality shone through.

“That’s why I love this team, to be honest with you. That’s what it’s about,” said Adams, reflecting on the team’s resilience despite the injury setbacks.

Cornerback Cobie Durant echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of sticking to the game plan and trusting one another.

"Defense wins championships," Durant said. "We got that mentality. We’re just sticking to what the coaches put us in, and trusting one another that somebody’s going to make a play.”

With the victory, the Rams move to 8-2 on the season and stay firmly in the race for the NFC West crown. They’ll return to SoFi Stadium next Sunday night to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, another crucial matchup in their quest for playoff positioning.

But for now, it’s a moment to savor. In a game that showcased the strength of both teams, the Rams came out on top—thanks to a defense that was opportunistic, resilient, and, ultimately, game-changing.

This game wasn’t just about the spectacular plays or the historical moments—it was about the grit and determination of a team that, despite all the twists and turns, found a way to win. The Rams may not have been perfect on offense, but their defense more than made up for it, showing that in the NFL, sometimes defense does win championships.

Next week, the Buccaneers come to town, and you can bet the Rams will be ready to bring that same intensity. But for now, after surviving this thriller, they can breathe a little easier, knowing they’ve got the Seahawks’ number once again.