Brandon Powell’s TD punt return gives Rams 10 point lead

The LA Rams offense really is not generating much of a threat through the air in Week 16. So far, the LA Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford appears to be connecting as often with the Minnesota Vikings defensive backs as to his own receivers. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But the Rams starting quarterback is 0 of 4 in the second half when targeting Rams receivers, but has thrown a costly interception, his third of the day, to put the team in a perilous position.

The Rams defense needs a break folks.  Stafford has coughed up the ball three times, and three times the defense has denied the Vikings from scoring a touchdown.

But if the Rams defense cannot count on HC Sean McVay to run the ball and keep the Vikings offense off the football field, the defense found a surprising hero in just returned punt returner Brandon Powell.

Brandon ‘Pow’ Powell for a huge TD

The Rams activated Powell on Christmas Day, and the concern for his just-back return was would he be effective against the Minnesota Vikings?

Worry no more, Rams fans. A hero has shown up and shown up in a big way. Punt returner Brandon Powell has returned two punts for the Rams and gotten 75 yards. But the best was this one:

That was the LA Rams’ first special teams touchdown on a punt return, and could not have come at a better time. That pushed the Rams to 20 points, and with a struggling Matthew Stafford, the seven points were a huge score.

It’s nice to see the Rams getting contributions from unexpected players in this one. But the team needs to get a much better effort from the offense to take the pressure off the defense. This is for the NFC West Division lead. This is to set the stage to host a playoff game. The offense has got to step up now. The LA Rams have the football with just over eight minutes remaining.

Can the LA Rams hold on for a win?