Rams end five-game losing skid with win over Lions

Held to just 13 yards on seven carries in the first half Sunday, St. Louis Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley saved the explosion for later.

Gurley finished with 140 yards and two touchdowns and cornerback Trumaine Johnson returned an interception 58 yards for another TD as the Rams ended their five-game losing streak with a 21-14 victory over the Detroit Lions.

“Ridiculous,” was the assessment on Gurley’s performance by Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers after watching Gurley literally fly into the end zone on his first TD. “That’s why we drafted him, to make runs like that. He fights for every inch, every yard; I think that’s what I appreciate about him.

“He just doesn’t go down after one tackle. He tries to fight for everything.”

Gurley’s 975 yards rushing ranks fourth in the NFL with three games remaining. He also has eight touchdowns as the Rams (5-8) prepare to play host to Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The injury-plagued Rams’ defense also stepped up big. Aaron Donald had a career-high three sacks and with an NFL-leading 11 sacks this season becomes the first Rams defensive tackle with 10 or more sacks since D’Marco Farr in 1995.

Golden Tate caught two TD passes from Matthew Stafford for the Lions (4-9), but star receiver Calvin Johnson was held to one catch for 16 yards and never was a factor.

Johnson, who was targeted only five times by Stafford, was shadowed by Johnson and also got help from the safeties.

“I knew it was going to be a tough matchup, but I feel like I can match up with anybody with my big frame,” Johnson said. “Especially with him. He’s one of the best in the league right now. I accepted the challenge. I wanted to guard him the whole game, and I’m happy to hold him to one catch.”

Detroit cut the lead to 21-14 on a 21-yard TD pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate with 2:05 remaining. The Lions recovered an onside kick, but the Rams defense held on for a victory on Fan Appreciation Day.

“We mustered all the energy we could and played four great downs,” Brockers said.

HARD KNOCK LIFE

Gurley is represented by the agency headed up by rap superstar and producer Jay Z, who visited his client and the Rams locker room after the win. Was Gurley a little extra fired up with Jay Z in the house?

Gurley is becoming a star in his own right and had fans chanting “Gurley, Gurley, Gurley” again as they did earlier this season.

“I told him I appreciated him coming,” Gurley said of Jay Z. “It’s always good for your agent and your agency to come show love and support. The team was happy we got a win, so everybody was happy to see him.”

That included Rams defensive end Chris Long.

“The last famous guy I met in St. Louis was like Eddie Vedder (the Pearl Jam lead singer) and I was a little too drunk to realize it was him, so I was really happy to see Jay Z today,” Long said. “He was pretty quiet, but we were all star-struck. He’s got to come back.

“Jay Z’s got to be here every week.”

Gurley predicted Jay Z might have that kind of effect on the locker room.

“Yeah, I kind of figured because I’d be the same way,” Gurley said. “Everybody grew up listening to him or idolizing him. It was a cool thing to happen.”

KEY SEQUENCE

Gurley woke up the announced crowd of 51,202 (tickets distributed) with a scintillating 49-yard run late in the third quarter that saw one his trademark hurdles over a would-be tackler. He scored on a 5-yard run, leaping high into the air and reaching out to stretch the ball across the goal line near the left pylon with 3:57 remaining in the third quarter.

What made Gurley decide to launch himself into the air?

“I was going to see if I could kind of run over them, but I was at the 3-yard line,” he said. “I don’t know if I’m that strong to be carrying somebody three yards, so I just used my instincts and just jumped in the air.”

The 49-yard run was Gurley’s fifth run of 45 yards or more this season.

Gurley went on the 100-yard mark on the Rams’ next drive and scored on a 14-yard run with 12:14 remaining in the game.

Rams quarterback Case Keenum, making his second start this season, said Gurley bring an instant energy boost when he does things like that.

“It gives everybody a lift,” Keenum said. “You saw the fans, how they reacted to that. (Gurley)’s pretty special with the ball in his hands, so we’re going to figure out a lot of ways to get him the football.

“It was great to watch him again today. It’s pretty scary how good he can be.”

KEY PERFORMERS

Along with Gurley, Trumaine Johnson was a big part of the victory. Taking over the No. 1 cornerback spot with Janoris Jenkins out with a concussion, Johnson had an interception, five tackles and knocked down two passes.

He talked about the interception that led to the Rams’ first touchdown.

Johnson stepped in front of Lions receiver Calvin Johnson late in the first quarter and then picked his way down the left sideline for a TD. It was his 13th career interception.

“Read the play the whole time. I knew they were running it,” said Johnson, whose five interceptions are the most by a Rams player in a season since 2008. “Film study. Big time. I’m just glad to make a play.

“It was a bang-8 route. I saw it all week. He was running it on teams and getting open. Just sitting inside the whole time, I was able to make a play.”

Rams safety Mark Barron racked up 11 tackles, including eight solos. Stafford completed 30-of-46 passes for Detroit for 245 yards and two TDs with one interception.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 3:01 PM with the headline "Rams end five-game losing skid with win over Lions."