St. Louis Rams improve to 4-4 with win over the Carolina Panthers
The St. Louis Rams were able to bounce back after a heartbreaking, last minute, 18-17 loss to the Tampa Buccaneers last week and get a 20-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, 31 October, to keep
pace in the NFC West.
How it happened
Rams quarterback Sam Bradford was sharp, throwing two touchdown passes, one in the first half to receiver Danny Amendola, and one in the second half to tight end Daniel Fells.
With time winding down in the fourth quarter the Rams led 20-3 before the Panthers managed their only touchdown of the game when quarterback Matt Moore threw a 17-yard strike to Brandon LaFell.
After the Panthers failed to recover the onside kick they did manage to get the ball back after forcing the Rams to go four and out.
In a desperate attempt to get points quickly, Moore was intercepted by Oshiomogho Atogwe which sealed the win for the Rams.
What they're saying
Panthers head coach, John Fox, was not pleased after the game with the way his team turned the ball over four times, including Moore throwing three interceptions.
"You're just not going to win games, especially on the road, when you turn it over that many times, so it was frustrating," Fox said.
The talk quickly turned to speculation over whether Moore might be in danger of losing his starting spot next week.
"I think right now Matt gives us our best chance," Fox added. "We'll evaluate it after we look at the tape. We've got to do something to be better and execute more consistently on offence."
Rams quarterback Bradford was sharp all game and was pleased with his own performance as the first-overall draft pick appears to be improving with every game. "I felt very comfortable out there today,
probably the most comfortable I've felt. I think the game is really slowing down for me."
What it all means
The win should give the Rams a huge lift as they head into their bye week with a record of 4-4. It's a tight race in the NFC West with the Rams, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Seattle Seahawks all hovering
around .500, with the San Francisco 49ers quickly falling out of contention. The Rams next travel to Candlestick Park to take on the 49ers on Sunday 14, November.
The outlook for the Panthers isn't nearly as positive as, after finally collecting their first win of the season last week, they now drop to 1-6. They get set to host the reigning Super Bowl champions,
the New Orleans Saints, next Sunday, 7 November.
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