The Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs may have played one of the best games in NFL history. It had all the components to an instant classic that everyone dreams about. The Rams did end up taking the win tonight, 54-51 in front of a raucous home crowd.
This was the definition of a high voltage game until it was over. Both teams were an even match and it felt like whichever team blinked first would lose.
Momentum continuously swang from one team to the next during the game. There were clears signs from the beginning that this would be a tick-for-tack affair when both teams missed extra points tying the score at 23-23 in the first half.
Both teams combined to put up 1,001 total yards of offense and 105 points. It was no surprise since both teams have top three scoring offenses. It was the highest scoring game in Monday Night Football history. Each offense is led by two separate MVP candidates in quarterbacks Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes threw for 478 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions completing 71 percent of his passes. He had a passer rating of 117.6 but had five total turnovers. He still shined despite his mistakes.
Goff in some ways outplayed Mahomes when comparing the two. Goff threw for 413 yards, four touchdowns and had a 63 percent completion percentage. He had a 117.1 passer rating despite his two lost fumbles.
Both players showed why they deserve to be in the MVP conversation throughout the entire game. Mahomes made multiple plays to put the Chiefs up such as his late pass to Chris Conley that put them up 51-47.
However, the Rams and Goff came back with the game-winning touchdown pass to Gerald Everett to secure a 54-51 lead. While the game was a staple for flashy offensive plays, the difference was on the defensive side.
The Rams defense made plays forcing five turnovers and punching in two touchdowns. A lot of those plays were stimulated by star defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Donald had four total tackles and two strip sacks that led to two touchdowns. Two touchdowns that were key in a three-point win.
Then the game-sealing picks by Marcus Peters and Lamarcus Joyner are what put the Chiefs away. Head coach Sean McVay said it best in his post-game presser:
“I thought the defense made enough plays to win the game”
This win solidifies the Rams as the first team to 10 wins as they head into their bye week. A bye week that they deserve.
Brendan Abban is the owner/creator of brendanabban.com and hosts the KBR Sports podcast. Follow him on Twitter @Abbanbrendan or email [email protected].
