The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in a prime time showdown, 54-51.
Los Angeles hosted a Monday Night Football game for the first time in over 30 years, and it did not disappoint. Las Vegas set the over-under for combined points in this game at 64, the highest total since 1986. That total was nearly doubled in what was the third-highest scoring game in NFL history.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Rams needed players to step up with the absence of Cooper Kupp, and just about everybody answered the call. Kupp’s replacement, Josh Reynolds, had the best game of his career with six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. The tight end duo stepped up in a major way, with Tyler Higbee having his second career 60 yard performance and Gerald Everett scoring the game-winning touchdown. Jared Goff had his second 400 yard game of his career.
As for the defense, things were a bit more complicated. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes diced the Rams for most of the night, throwing for six total touchdowns. Tyreek Hill became the second receiver to go for over 200 yards against the Rams this season. Travis Kelce was yet another tight end to hurt this Rams secondary.
Still, the team stepped up when it mattered. Aaron Donald forced two huge turnovers. Samson Ebukam scooped one of them up for a touchdown, and returned his own interception to the house later on. Former Chief Marcus Peters grabbed a huge interception late in the ball game. The Rams defense has been frustrating, even infuriating, at times this season, but it’s always felt like a “bend but don’t break” type of defense. So far, they haven’t broken. But they’ve bent a ton.
This was the first time in NFL history that a team gave up over 50 points in a win. The previous high was 49, which occurred twice, most recently when the Saints defeated the Giants 52-49 in 2015.
The Rams head into a much-needed bye week atop the NFL standings at 10-1. They’ll head to Detroit to take on the Lions following the bye.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and host of the Butting Heads podcast for Rams Talk. He is an alumni of Marquette University. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
