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

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams gestures at the line of scrimmage in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

While the entire Rams organization needed a playoff win, the two who needed it most were quarterback Jared Goff and head coach Sean McVay. If you’re thinking that isn’t true, you’re a fan kidding yourself and need a severe reality check.

For Goff, last night was significant.

Goff wasn’t particularly impressive last night. He also didn’t need to be. What he did need to be was consistent within the game plan and not turnover prone.

His line was remarkably pedestrian. 15 of 28 for 186 yards. He’d throw zero touchdowns but he’d also have zero turnovers.

Key.

2018 has been a curious season for Goff. He was a dark horse mention for MVP. After the shootout with the Kansas City Chiefs in which the Rams won 54-51, everything seemed in front of an possible for Goff.

Then December happened.

Against the Cowboys, Goff just needed to be steady. He didn’t need to get outside his lane and play hero-ball. Goff relaxed is good for the Rams, and last night all he had to do effectively was hand the ball to either Gurley or Anderson, and not get in the way.

Best of all, last night showed Goff doesn’t need to be spectacular or throw for 300 or 400 plus yards. For Los Angeles, being a ball control run centric offense works just fine, especially for Goff.

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