Jan 12, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs in a touchdown in the second quarter against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) in a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Photo Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
All season long the Los Angeles Rams defense had been vulnerable to good running teams.
But in the impressive Divisional Playoff win over the Dallas Cowboys, the Rams run D, along with the rushing duo of C.J. Anderson and Todd Gurley, played a major factor in the team’s 30-22 win.
The Rams limited Ezekiel Elliot, the NFL’s leading rusher during the regular season, to just 47 yards and a score on 20 carries. It was the second-lowest output of the season — Washington held him to 33 yards in Week 7 — for the All-Pro tailback.
Anderson (5-8, 225) was signed on Dec. 18 after being waived by the Oakland Raiders. His physical running style combined with Gurley’s dynamic big-play ability allowed the duo to become the fourth set of teammates in NFL history to rush for 100 yards each in a postseason game. The Rams finished with 273 rushing yards, a new postseason franchise record.
Anderson led the Rams with 23 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Gurley added 115 yards and a score on 16 carries.
The Rams offensive line was a big reason why the new one-two punch ran roughshod over a talented Dallas defense. And the combination of Anderson, Gurley and the team’s veteran front wall, could lead to big things for Los Angeles moving forward.
“It’s scary,” Anderson said about his newfound partnership with Gurley. “We’ve got two different styles, and we can keep teams off-balance.”
Los Angeles quarterback Jared Goff completed 15 of 28 for 186 yards. He also ran for 12 yards. Following the game, he talked about earning his first playoff win and the team’s ability to move the ball on the ground.
“Feels great, just running the ball the way we did,” Goff said. “Two 100-yard rushers, that’s rare, and it starts with those five guys up front.”
“We always talk about attacking success, never fearing failure,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “We wanted to come out here and try to play fearless tonight.”
Dallas took a 7-3 lead in the first quarter when Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott connected with receiver Amari Cooper for a 29-yard touchdown pass.
Los Angeles owned the second quarter by outscoring Dallas 17-0. Kicker Greg Zuerlein’s second field goal of the night, a 23-yarder, cut the Cowboys lead to 7-6.
An Anderson 1-yard scoring run and a Gurley 35-yard run gave the L.A. a 20-7 lead at halftime.
After Zuerlein’s third field goal upped the Cowboys lead to 23-7 shortly after halftime, the Cowboys trimmed the Rams lead to 23-15 with 5:20 a few minutes later behind an Elliot 1-yard run and a successful 2-point try.
The Rams pretty much cemented the game midway through the fourth quarter when Goff orchestrated a 12-play, 65-yard scoring drive that took 7:36 off the clock and resulted in an Anderson 1-yard scoring run and a 30-15 lead.
Dallas added a late score, but couldn’t stop the Rams on their next possession and was eliminated from play.
Los Angeles travels to New Orleans to take on the Saints for the right to go to Super Bowl LIII next Sunday.
Receiver Robert Woods led the Rams in receptions (six) and yards (69). Brandin Cooks had four catches for 65 yards.
Linebacker Cory Littleton stood out on defense for Los Angeles. He led the team with seven tackles.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald was disruptive despite make just two tackles. Outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. had three tackles and a sack.
