Los Angeles Rams: 4 grades for 30-22 playoff win over Cowboys

Don’t look now, but the Los Angeles Rams found a defense that can stop the run. The Cowboys, who needed a big night from their biggest offensive threat in Ezekiel Elliott, didn’t get it. Elliott rushed for 47 yards on 20 carries. Perhaps best of all, they managed to contain Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott who became very one dimensional, as Prescott only got lose for three rushing yards.

The Rams have been less than impressive defensively, stopping few who ran against them and even fewer who throw and catch the football.

Hey, even free agent bust Ndamukong Suh was seen last night, as he recorded three solo tackles.

Last night was a critical test for the Rams on defense, and they passed it. The Cowboys on offense was all about the run, and Elliott could have had, should have had a monster evening. The fact that he didn’t was perhaps the biggest reason Los Angeles won their first playoff game.

One big takeaway from Saturday night is that the Rams weren’t explosive on offense. They didn’t need to be. They were able to run the ball and rely on a defense to keep the Cowboys out of the end zone late. If this is the beginning of a trend, it’s come just at the nick of time and just when the Rams needed it most.