7 winners in wild Rams Week 15 win over Lions locks up LA playoff berth

Win, and you're in is a scenario that the 11-3 Los Angeles Rams seldom hear after 14 games, but such was the case in 2025. It was not simply the victory, but about the team against which the victory would come. The 8-6 Detroit Lions, themselves finding themselves in a must-win situation, needed a Week 15 victory to sustain their own playoff hopes.

With the Rams' victory over the lagging Lions, the postseason competition is a reality. It will be the third consecutive appearance in the NFL Playoffs for LA. Meanwhile, the Lions risk being on the outside looking in. They are an eighth-seeded team with just three games left.

This was a game that Los Angeles needed to win. But it was a game that the team often lost. It was a game in which the team lost the turnover battle, was not particularly effective on third downs, and had a struggling secondary. And yet, Los Angeles emerged triumphant. So, who do fans have to thank for the victory?

7 winners in wild Rams Week 15 win over Lions locks up LA playoff berth

7. Kicker Harrison Mevis

It may seem as though a place kicker who does his job does not deserve applause or fanfare. But in a game with a seven-point margin of victory, Mevis accounted for 11 points. In truth, he has not missed anything since winning the kicking job over Joshua Karty. In six games, he has successfully kicked 28 extra points and five field goals. Three of those three-pointers have come at a distance of 40+ yards.

That's phenomenal.

6. Defensive lineman Kobie Turner

While the Horns no longer can rely upon legendary Aaron Donald's momentum-altering plays, young defensive lineman Kobie Turner seems to have a similar ilk for showing up when the team needs him the most.

Trailing in the second half, Turner hit a series of plays in which he applied pressure on Lions quarterback Jared Goff, including a sack. Turner's relentless pursuit enabled his offense to gain momentum and ultimately secure the win.

5. Running back Blake Corum

While he took time to get going, running back Blake Corum is elevating the offense. In the past three games, he has carried the ball just 30 times, but rushed for 280 yards and four rushing touchdowns. He ran for 71 yards and a touchdown in just 11 carries against Detroit.

Welcome aboard, Blake Corum

4. Running back Kyren Williams

Fans can't applaud Corum without a tip of the cap to running back Kyren Williams. Williams has already broken the 1,000+ rushing yards plateau with a 75-yard two-touchdown performance against Detroit. Curiously, it was not until the running game took over that the lead changed hands for the final time. This offense needs to run the football.

3. Quarterback Matthew Stafford

While he threw an early interception that led to a Detroit Lions touchdown, quarterback Matthew Stafford appeared to be 'Bad Matt'. That is, the guy who tries to do too much. But as the game wore on, the running backs began to grind out significant yardage, Stafford setting into another 350+ passing yards performance.

He only threw for two touchdowns, but you can't have everything.

2. Wide receiver Puka Nacua

Accolades simply cannot describe the sensational impact of wide receiver Puka Nacua. He hauled in nine of 11 passes for 181 yards to lead everyone on the football field. When he left the game with what appeared to be a lower leg injury, fans held their collective breath.

Nacua returned to the game and was described as having suffered leg cramps. But the point was made. The offense needs Nacua in the home stretch.

1. Tight end Colby Parkinson

Someone topped Puka Nacua in Week 15? Well, when you consider that tight end Colby Parkinson had his best game ever in Yellow and Blue, the image starts to form. Parkinson laid claim as tight end Tyler Higbee's successor with a five-of-seven catch performance that generated 75 yards and two touchdowns.

With the performance, Parkinson is the third-best receiver on the roster. He is also the best tight end right now, scoring six touchdowns.

The Rams needed this win, and a host of players stepped up to ensure it happened. No, it was not a pretty win. But victory is its own reward. And now, here come the 11-3 Seattle Seahawks.

As always, thanks for reading.