In what was essentially a 3 hour battle of field position the St. Louis Rams came away winners in nearly the same fashion they lost just a mere seven day ago. Via a field goal attempt at the end of the game. In the NFL a win, is a win, is a win. And that ultimately is how teams, players and coaches are judged.
Still after yesterday’s win left me feeling both a little dirty and unsatisfied I recommend all Rams games here on out be played using the league’s new overtime guidelines. As the Rams and Browns combined for 10 punts and together were 9 for 26 on 3rd down even fans of Alabama and LSU thought the pace of this game was terrible.
For what it’s worth as Will investigates the Rams may have actually won the game rather than Cleveland losing it. Sam Bradford’s first career 4th quarter comeback *cough* *cough* did manage to include a few big plays one incredible one by Brandon Lloyd. Go ahead and blame it on the wind but if either of these teams had a semblance of a red zone offense the score might have gotten into the twenties.
Here is an abridged version of the madness that led to the Rams 13-12 victory in Cleveland with special attention to Brandon Lloyd’s catch.
1st Quarter
2nd and 20 Rams WR Brandon Lloyd makes a one-handed, acrobatic catch on the sideline for a 24 yard game.
2nd Quarter
3rd and 3 Rams QB Sam Bradford hits WR Brandon Lloyd for a 7-yard TD to give St. Louis a 7-3. A 3rd down and red zone conversion on the same play.
1st and 10 Browns LB Scott Fujita picks off Rams QB Sam Bradford on a pass intended for Michael Hoomanawanuto to give Cleveland possession.
1st and 10 Cleveland, reverse is from Josh Cribbs to Colt McCoy and McCoy passes to the left to Seneca Wallace for 21. Which leads to a field goal.
1st and 10 Rams Steven Jackson 22 yard run to the 15 yard line. Leads to field goal
3rd and 2 Colt McCoy pass to the middle to Greg Little for 52 yards to 10 yard line just before half time. Lead to a field goal.
3rd Quarter
2nd and 2 Chris Ogbonnaya rushes for 32 yards into St. Louis territory.
1st and 10 Browns TE Benjamin Watson makes an amazing one-handed grab to gain 22 yards to the St. Louis 15 yard line. Leads to field goal.
4th Quarter
4th and 7 Rams, Donnie Jones punts for 45 yards to Cle17. Joshua Cribbs return for 6 yards to Cle23 and is tackled by David Nixon and Ben Leber. Cribbs fumbles and it is recovered by Ben Leber. Rams net 11 yards on 5 plays for go ahead Field Goal.
1st and 10 Colt McCoy pass to the right to Alex Smith for 5 yards to the StL34. Tackled by Craig Dahl. Penalty: Horse Collar Tackle on St. Louis (Fred Robbins) 15 yards.
Browns kicker Phil Dawson misses a 22-yard chip shot, which would have given Cleveland the lead late, and in all honesty, the win.
