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          NFL Nation

          Rams jump-start second half of season with victory vs. Seahawks

          • Lindsey Thiry, ESPNNov 16, 2020, 12:29 AM
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              Lindsey Thiry is a national NFL reporter for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2018 to cover the Los Angeles Rams after two years of covering them for the Los Angeles Times, and has also covered the Chargers for ESPN. She previously covered the Atlanta Falcons. You can follow her on Twitter/X @LindseyThiry.

          INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams offense found its rhythm, while the defense smothered Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

          The Rams’ performance wasn’t perfect Sunday, but two weeks removed from an embarrassing Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins and after recharging during a bye week, Los Angeles defeated the Seahawks, 23-16, at SoFi Stadium to jump-start a grueling second-half schedule.

          The Rams improve to 6-3 overall and 1-1 in the NFC West. The Seahawks are 6-3, 1-2.

          Next, the Rams return to Florida -- their fifth cross-country trip of the season -- to take on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) on Monday Night Football.

          Then, with a remaining schedule that ranks as the fourth most difficult in the NFL according to ESPN analytics, the Rams return home to play a division contest against the 49ers, followed by a trip to Arizona to take on quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals.

          Buy on a breakout performance: Fantasy owners won’t necessarily be happy, but the Rams running back committee finally found its rhythm as coach Sean McVay successfully deployed Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers and Malcolm Brown. Henderson started, Akers came in on the third play and Brown provided security in pass protection and red zone situations. The Seahawks entered Sunday ranked fourth in rushing defense, allowing an average of 93.6 yards per game and 3.95 yards per carry. But the Rams -- with close to even distribution between the trio of backs -- finished with 108 rushing yards and averaged four yards per carry. Brown rushed for two touchdowns and Henderson added another.

          Pivotal play: With 2:56 remaining in the first half, Seahawks safety Jamal Adams strip sacked quarterback Jared Goff and cornerback D.J. Reed recovered on the Rams’ 27-yard line. Two plays later, with the Rams holding onto a 17-10 lead, Wilson attempted a pass into the end zone, but cornerback Darious Williams picked it off for his third interception of the season. Earlier in the week, McVay emphasized the need for the Rams to improve in the turnover margin. Entering Sunday they were minus-2, which ranked near the bottom-third of the league.

          Shutdown corner: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey shadowed Seahawks standout wide receiver DK Metcalf on the majority of snaps Sunday, making it nearly impossible for Wilson to look for his go-to receiver who leads the team 788 receiving yards. Metcalf was not targeted in the first half and recorded his first reception of the game -- a nine-yard catch -- with a minute remaining in the third quarter.

          Big loss: Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth suffered a left knee injury when he collided with Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright in the second quarter. Teammates and McVay surrounded Whitworth as the team doctor and training staff examined him on the field. Whitworth slapped hands with teammates after he was assisted onto the cart, then taken off the field. Third-year pro Joe Noteboom, who was drafted in 2018 as Whitworth’s eventual replacement, took over in his absence. Noteboom started two games this season at left guard before he was placed on injured reserve because of a calf injury. He was activated ahead of Sunday’s game.