The game winning TD pass from Stafford to Robinson is worth another look

Oh boy. The LA Rams have extended their winning streak to three games and finally broke the drought on the road by defeating the feisty Seattle Seahawks team on the road to knot their record at 4-4. After a drop to 1-4, the team is again circling the wagons and defying the odds and NFL analysts alike. This was a good win.

But it was not a pretty win. It was the type of emotional roller coaster that will have the fans of both teams talking about the game, and the outcome, for weeks. The LA Rams offense never really seemed to get on track. Well, not until the final drive of the football game. And the Rams' defense continued to put points up on the scoreboard. So far, the defense has scored in four consecutive games and accounted for 22 points.

But this is not the time to talk defense.

This is the time to talk about offense. More to the point, about that touchdown pass from veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson.

Why that TD pass is so special

I am not shy about calling out questionable play calling during the game. It's not to prove that I'm smarter than anyone. It's simply how you troubleshoot problems. By voicing the matter, we can approach the solution with different parts of the brain, and often find the simplest solution in the exercise.

But there is a masterclass of NFL subterfuge and deception to be learned from the Rams overtime offensive approach. You see, the Rams toyed with the Seahawks defense in overtime, much like a cat will tortuously play with a mouse.

After taking over at their own 17-yard line, the Seahawks expected the offense to gear down and try to run the football. Instead, the team completed a long deep pass down the right sideline to WR Tyler Johnson. On the next play, Stafford connected with a long deep pass down the left sideline to WR Tutu Atwell. 40 yards later, at the Seahawks 43-yard line, the Rams ran up the middle for four yards.

Everyone at Lumen Field expected the offense to run with the football again. That had been the team's pattern in this game. And that's how the Rams lured the Seahawks to stack the box with eight defenders.

And then, this happened:

The Rams motioned WR Cooper Kupp to give Stafford the pre-snap read. The Seahawks secondary showed eight defenders in the box, with man coverage. That showed Matthew Stafford that his first read would be to WR Demarcus Robinson down the sideline. So that is where he threw the football, and Robinson hauled it in with a one-handed snag.

There was no pass coverage breakdown on the play. This was not an example of a defensive breakdown, broken coverage, or bad communication. It was simply a perfectly thrown football and a miraculous circus catch.

It was the game winner. The Comeback Kid in his primetime form. It was a clutch catch. But most of all, it was the only way to end this thrilling see-saw battle.

The Rams are 4-4. It's a moment of reflection and celebration. Still, the schedule only gets tougher from here.

Thanks for reading.

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