The Los Angeles Rams were able to put the finishing touches on a successful business trip by keeping their winning ways going against the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium in London. They got out to an early lead and were able to maintain it throughout, cruising to a 24-10 victory to go into the bye week at 5-3.
First Quarter
After the Bengals’ first drive lasted just five plays, the Rams’ offense had no problems gashing this porous defense early on with a balanced approach. This group was dealt a significant blow after wide receiver Brandin Cooks was forced to leave the game with a concussion. Their promising opening drive ultimately sputtered in the red zone and they were forced to settle for a 23-yard field goal from kicker Greg Zuerlein.
Cincinnati was able to keep their ensuing drive going by converting a gutsy fourth-down call with a 22-yard completion from quarterback Andy Dalton to wide receiver Tyler Boyd. Meanwhile, linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. managed to pick up where he left off last week by getting his first sack of the game. The loss of yardage between the sack and false start penalty took the wind out of their sails near the goal line.
Second Quarter
Bengals kicker Randy Bullock was able to open up the second quarter with a 28-yard field goal to tie the game at three. Los Angeles struggled to get their rhythm to start the next drive until Goff found wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a monster 32-yard gain. It was not long before the Rams put the finishing touches on a seven-play, 92-yard drive with a 31-yard touchdown grab by wide receiver Josh Reynolds to take a 10-3 lead.
The Bengals were able to keep their drive alive with yet another conversion on fourth down thanks to running back Joe Mixon. They continued to put an emphasis on establishing their run game, however, it was the questionable roughing the passer penalty by defensive tackle Michael Brockers that set Cincinnati up for an easy dump to Mixon in the end zone to tie the game at 10.
Fortunately, it did not take the Rams very long to respond after head coach Sean McVay called a double-reverse, flea-flicker that resulted in a 65-yard touchdown to Kupp to quickly take the lead back.
Cincinnati was well on their way to getting some more points on the board before halftime until Fowler made his presence felt once again with his second sack of the day to effectively move them out of field goal position and secure a 17-10 lead.
Third Quarter
Goff and Kupp picked up right where they left off during the opening drive of the third quarter with a 40-yard completion to quickly march into enemy territory. The offense then capped off a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run by running back Todd Gurley.
Although the Bengals offense had some success converting on crucial downs, they were unable to do anything with the yardage against this Rams defense. They stalled out once again after a 10-play drive that spanned nearly five minutes with nothing to show for it.
Goff continued to let it fly for Los Angeles and found Reynolds with a 30-yard gain to get the drive going. While penalties kept them from taking advantage of any big plays, Los Angeles still secured a 24-10 lead heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The defense came up big once again by forcing a quick four-and-out that was highlighted by linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo’s first sack of the 2019 NFL season.
Goff and the offense had trouble finding their rhythm in the fourth quarter, but it didn’t matter as the defense sealed the deal with a fourth-down stop in the red zone to secure the victory.
Kupp led the way for the Rams, hauling in seven receptions for a career-high 220 yards and a touchdown.
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