Heading into the game, it only seemed like the day before the Los Angeles Rams played the Seahawks. However, the Rams had to rip off another win. It was ugly, but the team got it done. It wasn’t pretty, but some players had a great day during the pyrrhic victory. Here’s a look at who had a great day and who is currently wishing it had gone differently.
Los Angeles Rams Winners And Losers: Week 16
Winners
Sony Michel
Sony Michel solidified his role as the starter in this game. Heading into the contest, some felt that Darrell Henderson‘s lack of usage against the Seahawks was due to Sean McVay’s goal of easing him back into the lineup. However, this week, Michel rushed the ball 27 times for 131 yards and a touchdown.
There is no dispute as to who is the starter for the rest of the season. That said, news of Henderson’s injury leaves the door open for Cam Akers to return next week. It gives Michel reason to not sit on his laurels. However, one cannot deny the magnitude of the game he had. Even if Cam Akers eventually usurps Michel, Michel now has recent tape of consistent play in back-to-back weeks, giving him an edge over plenty of other backs in the future.
Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp keeps on chugging. The wide receiver caught 10 passes for 109 yards en route to reaching the goal of 2,000 receiving yards. He currently sits at 1,734 yards and 14 touchdowns. With two games to go, Kupp needs to average about 135 yards per game to pass 2,000 yards. This is well within Kupp’s ability. Will he be able to do it? Of course, this also means that McVay would need to keep Kupp on the field until the last whistle in Week 18, which he usually isn’t apt to do with his starters. However, to get to that point, Kupp needs to have an amazing performance next week.
Special Teams
Dare it be said that the Special Teams unit was the most consistent phase of the game for the Rams? The defense gave up 23 points and the offense turned the ball over three times. Matt Gay was perfect on extra points and his three field-goal attempts. Also, the Rams had a return for a touchdown, which was essentially the difference in the football game. If the Special Teams can keep it up into the playoffs, the Rams have nothing to worry about. Just a month ago, the Special Teams was arguably the biggest weakness on the team. On Sunday, it was arguably the Rams’ biggest strength.
“Matthew Stafford easily had his worst game of the season.”
Losers
Matthew Stafford
The Rams may have won, but Matthew Stafford easily had his worst game of the season. It was his first game with three interceptions with the Rams and drops his odds for setting a career record for touchdowns. At 36 touchdowns with a goal of 42 touchdowns, Stafford now has to average three touchdowns per game to beat his record from 2011. Of course, with McVay likely to pull Stafford in Week 18, his chances of beating his career record may now have gone up in smoke. That said, if Stafford can have a massive game against the Ravens, he may still be able to beat it in the first half in Week 18. Joe Burrow is coming off a game in which he threw for 525 yards against the Ravens, so Stafford still has a reason to hope.
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Darrell Henderson
Darrell Henderson followed up a nearly absent performance last week with an even less-instrumental role this week. Coupled with news of an MCL injury that is expected to sideline him until after Akers returns, Henderson suddenly finds himself as the odd man out for the playoffs and potentially farther in the future. It could not have been much worse for Henderson, as his season is essentially over. His most realistic hope is to gear up for 2022 or hope to break a fluke touchdown run late in the playoffs to win a game. Otherwise, his options in Los Angeles may have evaporated before his eyes.
Los Angeles Rams Kicker Matt Gay And Tight End Tyler Higbee. Photo Credit: Brevin Townsell | LA Rams