A Fight for the Ages
By: Peyton Schultze
In possibly the best Monday Night Football game ever, the Rams and Chiefs put on an offensive display behind an electric Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
891 passing yards. 174 rushing yards. 14 total touchdowns, including 3 defensively. A wide variety of dynamic offensive weapons. Two phenomenal quarterbacks with potential to be the future faces of the league. In a game unlike many in the history of the NFL, Showtime was brought back to the city of Los Angeles, except this time on a field instead of a court. On a beautiful night in Los Angeles with a backdrop of the picturesque Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Los Angeles Rams (10-1) finally put away the dangerous and dynamic Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) on one of the most memorable Monday Night Football games of all time. Kansas City @ Denver in 1994. Miami @ New York in 2000. Indianapolis @ Tampa Bay in 2003. Green Bay @ Seattle in 2012. And now, last night solidified Kansas City @ Los Angeles as one of the most memorable Monday Night games in NFL history and one that purely showed off the offensive and creative beauty of the modern NFL. In the end, the Rams were able to finish off the Chiefs with a few key plays from defensive players like Aaron Donald, Marcus Peters, and youngster, Samson Ebukam, to put away the young gunslinger, Patrick Mahomes, and take control of the best record in the NFL going into their bye.
Several key strip sacks from the Rams defense led to huge defensive touchdowns that ultimately helped decide the final score of 54-51.
Of all the narratives that could be made in this game, the most influential and interesting one must be of how this game was a perfect reflection of the modern-day NFL. The brilliance of Sean McVay and Andy Reid, two of the most creative and complex offensive-minded head coaches in the league, was on full display on Monday Night. Many false narratives have been made from those around the league over the past several years about these coaches and their aggressive schemes. Things such as how the league is simply just becoming a passing league. Or how vertical passing is simply the only new wave of the NFL. Yet, in fact, the Rams and Chiefs seem to be firm believers in evolving the sport from its core offensive roots. Watch any Rams game and you’ll see at least one traditional receiver jet sweep and a team that ranks 2nd in the league in rushing. Watch any Chiefs game and you’ll see bootlegged movements from Mahomes, as well as downhill running from running back, Kareem Hunt. The false conception about the evolution of modern day NFL football was on full display last night, from its old school and traditional screen plays to its heavy usage of tight ends throughout. Hence, maybe this is why last night was so beautiful for so many fans of the NFL. McVay and Reid showing off their genius taken from the pages of Shula and Landry, with certain variations and mixes meant to confuse and misdirect a defense. Quarterbacks Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes showing off their elite athleticism and precision throwing, reminding many of epic gunslingers such as Favre and Elway. Monday Night was an offensive show unlike many have ever seen, and many traditionalists of the league will say that defensive football is dead and the game has changed too much that it is now soft and too easy for an offense. While many could argue that is true, it may simply be that the league is evolving and taking the league in new directions that nobody has ever seen. Led by otherworldly quarterbacks and smart head coaches, the NFL is evolving whether people like it or not.
The game was not always an offensive cruise for the Rams, as the Chiefs made some key defensive plays as well, like this strip sack from pass rusher, Justin Houston.
In relation to the totality of the mayhem of the game, however, this duel was unlike anything fans have seen in the 2018 season. Moving the game from Mexico City to Los Angeles because of poor conditions early in the week, the game began with a ceremony to honor those affected by recent tragedies in the Los Angeles’ community. With an emotional and heartfelt tribute, the game began with a crowd that was raucous as any crowd to fill the stadium for any Los Angeles Rams game. And how fitting that this game between a clash of football titans would take place in a Coliseum of all places. Beginning with an offensive show in the 1st quarter by Rams quarterback, Jared Goff, the Rams were able to secure a 13-7 lead in the first. Yet the Chiefs responded, led by huge chunk plays from players like Kareem Hunt following a Rams turnover on the previous possession. Going into the locker room, the game was tied at 23-23, with 3 touchdowns and one field goal apiece, in addition to 1 PAT missed by both kickers. And so, the second half began with even more zany madness that was as appropriate as ever on this night. Jared Goff flashed his legs for a 7 yard score. Travis Kelce took over an offensive drive by the Chiefs to punch in a score. Pass rusher Samson Ebukam made one of the defensive plays of the year by plucking a Mahomes pass out of the air with one arm, controlling it, and returning it to the endzone for 6. All this before the epic 4th quarter. Beginning with a gigantic 73 yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to speedster, Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs started off hot before retaking the lead on a Justin Houston strip sack that was recovered by Allen Bailey to give the Chiefs the lead with 11 minutes left. However, Goff quickly led the Rams down the field with several catches by wide receiver Brandin Cooks, before a big 7 yard touchdown pass from Goff to tight end, Gerald Everett. However, the Chiefs would again respond on a beautiful Mahomes drive filled with excitement and poise, before he connected with wide receiver Chris Conley for a score with 2:47 remaining in the game. With the game in doubt and the Rams trailing by 4, the Rams needed to respond with a huge score. And did they ever. Leading the Rams to the Chiefs 40 yard line with 1:56 remaining, Goff continued to carve up a vulnerable Chiefs’ defense. However, saving his throw of the night for last, Goff threw a dime to Everett on the right sideline on a pretty fade route to give the Rams a three point lead and eventually seal the deal for the Rams. However, the Chiefs would get the ball back with a chance to tie or take the lead again. However, an eventually overwhelmed Mahomes threw up a prayer late in the drive and was picked off by corner, Marcus Peters. The Rams got the ball back but with 3 timeouts and poor clock management by Los Angeles, Kansas City retained the ball with 1 timeout still left. However, the Rams’ D eventually stepped up once again when they absolutely needed to and forced another Patrick Mahomes pick, this time from safety Lamarcus Joyner. With that, Goff and the Rams offense were able to knee out the clock and secure a decisive 54-51 win over Kansas City.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was a packed house on Monday with a loud and awesome crowd.
With their 10th win of the season, the Rams were able to essentially not only gain one of the biggest wins of the NFL season, but take one step closer to a second straight NFC West crown. Even on a night where Rams running back, Todd Gurley, was not at his peak, the Rams were able to pull out a win in a thriller. Few teams have the repertoire of players that the Rams have, with elite and dynamic playmakers on both sides of the field from players like Robert Woods and Andrew Whitworth to Ndamukong Suh and Marcus Peters. The Rams look to move into the playoffs as battle tested contenders, with key upcoming matchups against teams like the hot Chicago Bears and the Carson Wentz-led Philadelphia Eagles. With their biggest and most hard fought win of the season, the Rams once again looked primed to contend in the gauntlet of a NFC and return to their first Super Bowl since losing to New England in 2001. The fight will be tough and the road will be difficult, but if Monday night’s win showed anything, The Greatest Show on Turf 2.0 is fired up and ready to make a Super Bowl run led by McVay, Donald, Gurley, and Goff.