2017-Present - McVay's run

The Los Angeles Rams survive the New Orleans Saints, move on to the Super Bowl

The Los Angeles Rams beat the New Orleans Saints 26-23 in overtime to reach their first Super Bowl in 17 years on Sunday, November 20. Los Angeles entered the game as underdogs for the first time this season, but as the old cliché goes, it’s “any given Sunday,” in the NFL. It became a special Sunday for the Rams.

The first quarter started off similarly to Week 9. The Rams struggled offensively with the noise in the Superdome. It contributed to an early Jared Goff interception, which bounced off Todd Gurley’s hands.

The Saints had an opportunity to rip the game open, but the Rams defense limited them to two field goals to make the score 6-0 early on. However, Saints quarterback Drew Brees brought his team downfield again. He found Garrett Griffin on a 5-yard touchdown pass to push the Saints ahead 13-0 in the first quarter.

The Rams fought back. With their backs against the wall, they called punter Johnny Hekker’s number once again. He answered the call and completed a 12-yard pass to defensive back Sam Shields on a crucial fourth down. The Rams later trimmed the lead to 13-3 on a Greg Zuerlein 36-yard field goal at the end of the drive.

Gurley redeemed himself late in the second quarter and scored on a 6-yard touchdown run, which cut the lead to 13-10 at halftime. The touchdown was set up by a Goff pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks for 36 yards as the key play on the drive.

Brees marched the Saints downfield to a 2-yard touchdown pass to Taysom Hill on the first New Orleans drive of the third quarter. The Hill touchdown gave the Saints a 20-10.

Goff responded on the next drive. He made some spectacular throws, but it was a simple rollout to Tyler Higbee for a 1-yard touchdown pass that pulled the Rams within 20-17. Zuerlein later tied the ball game at 20, but Wil Lutz gave the Saints some insurance with a 31-yard field goal.

The Lutz field goal came after a controversial missed pass interference call on Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman. However, the hero of the game proved to be Zuerlein, who tied the game at 23-23 to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Rams linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. hit Brees while he was making a throw, which caused an impressive interception by safety John Johnson. The Rams then drove drive the ball enough to set up Zuerlein for the game-winning 57-yard field goal.

The Rams are will travel to Atlanta to face the winner of the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs game. Super Bowl LIII will take place on Sunday, February 3, kickoff begins at 3:30 p.m. PT.

Source: ESPN.com

You can follow Johnny Gomez on Twitter @Johnny5not6. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.

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