LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Dallas Cowboys 30-22 and advance to the NFC Championship round of playoffs. The Cowboys did not get off to a positive start in L.A. The Rams offensive line continued to win the battle at the line of scrimmage off the ball. The defense could not stop the run in the first half and Jared Goff had all day to throw in the pocket with protection. The Cowboys’ defense allowed 170 yards on the ground in the first half. Todd Gurley amassed 10 carries for 80 yards; an 8.0 average per carry, and a touchdown in the first half. C.J. Anderson recorded 12 carries for 78 yards, a 6.5 average, and a TD. A very unusual performance for the Hotboyz, and Dallas’ offense had to play catch-up on the field, for the defense’s inability to stop the run and put pressure on Goff.
The Cowboys were able to score on their first drive down the field after Ezekiel Elliott blocked the blitz, setting up Dak Prescott’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper, who defeated four defenders to the end zone. They were stalled the remainder of the first half, failing to convert on third downs.
On offense in the third, the Cowboys’ were forced to throw the football to help establish the run. The Ram’s defensive line won gaps at the line of scrimmage and clogged up holes, giving Elliott nowhere to go on the carry. An incredible catch by Michael Gallup on a 44-yard pass by Prescott put the Cowboys at the goal line and set up Ezekiel Elliott’s one-yard TD rush and the two-point conversion. Dallas then trailed by one score, 23-15 at the end of the third.
The Rams quickly answered in the fourth with a score of their own, as the Cowboys’ defensive struggle continued. The Cowboys were able to score again on a one-yard TD rush by Prescott, but it was not enough. The defense could not contain Gurley and Anderson. They had wide open running lanes and gained six to seven yards on first downs to put them in favorable down and distance situations. The Rams finished the game with 459 total yards, 186 passing and 273 rushing. The Cowboys came away with 308 total yards, 258 passing and 50 rushing. They were 1-10 in third down efficiency.
Both teams came into the game with the intention of running the football and it came down to which team was able to execute on the field. The Rams came into the game with the perfect game plan for the Cowboys’ ground attack and dominant defense. They shut down the Cowboys’ run at the line of scrimmage by clogging up holes and congesting the pocket with heavy pressure, forcing Dak to release the ball quicker than desired.
In addition, the Rams innovative play calling ran through the Cowboys’ defense-literally. L.A. involved everyone in their up-tempo offense and it put stress on Dallas’ defense. Dallas’ D could not get penetration at the line of scrimmage to get to ball carriers and the QB. Tonight, the Cowboys got a taste of their own medicine. They are a team that prides itself with their ability to run the football and they were held to 50 rushing yards, with the NFL’s leading rusher in Elliott.
The saying goes that defense wins championships and Gurley and Anderson outmatched the Cowboys’ defense with 238 rushing yards. A bitter end for America’s Team as their season came to a close after a hard fought season.
