EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – It was a cold and dreary afternoon on New Year’s Eve, the Giants had played host to the Los Angeles Rams who were still in the hunt for a playoff spot.
It took most of the quarter but the Rams stuck first as Kyren Williams found the end zone off a four-yard rush, giving the Rams a 7-0 lead to end the first quarter. New York had found their answer in the 2nd quarter as WR Wan’Dale Robinson took on a rushing play and went 24 yards to the house to tie the game up. The quarter had stayed tied until the final two minutes of the half as Matthew Stafford found Cooper Kupp for a five yard touchdown, giving the Rams a 14-7 lead. On the following drive Tyrod Taylor would throw an interception off a pass intended for Darius Slayton, giving the Rams back the ball. However, the Rams would fumble the ball away as it was recovered by Giants Safety Dame Belton. From that turnover the Giants would find their way back into scoring position and set up Mason Crosby for a field goal to cut the Rams lead down to end the quarter.
Coming into the 3rd quarter the Rams extended their lead thanks to a second touchdown run from Kyren Williams, giving the Rams a 21-10 cushion. However, the Giants would rally back to shrink the lead thanks to a pass from Tyrod Taylor to Darius Slayton which looks eerily familiar to last weeks connection against the Philadelphia Eagles to shrink the lead down 21-16.
Heading into the 4th quarter, the Giants had all the momentum. Mason Crosby sent a 32 yard field goal through to put the game within one point. Kyren Williams would give the Rams his third rushing touchdown of the day to put the Rams out in front 26-19 but that didn’t stop the Giants from almost flipping the game upside down and ending the Rams playoff hopes. With three and a half minutes left in the game Giants punt returner Gunner Olszewski took it 94 yards to the end zone for a late game miracle. However, the Giants offense would fail to convert the two point conversion, leaving the score 26-25. With 30 seconds left in the game the Giants would have one more opportunity to score with Mason Crosby, however, the kicker could not meet the 54 yard distance and the Rams would narrowly escape with the victory.
With today’s loss, the Giants fall to 5-11 and are third in the NFC East Division, while the Rams improve to 9-7 and are second in the NFC West Division. The Giants will end their season at home next weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles, as for the Rams, they will be facing division rival San Francisco 49ers on the road to close their season.
Photo Credit; Daniel Calvelli
