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SPORTS Saturday 17 december 2016

Seahawks wrap up another division title by romping over Rams

BY TIM BOOTH in basically 72 hours. From
AP SPORTS WRITER Monday morning to Thurs-
SEATTLE (AP) -- Jared Goff, day afternoon.
Todd Gurley and the rest of It’s just a lesson for me that
the Los Angeles Rams who you always have to be
will make up the founda- ready to adapt and take
tion of the franchise as it on responsibilities that you
moves forward from a tu- didn’t anticipate. But it’s an
multuous first season back experience that of course
in Southern California got I’ll never forget.”
an up-close look Thursday Seattle was able to wrap
night at what they eventu- up the division thanks most-
ally must overcome. ly to a bounce-back ef-
Even with all its flaws, Seat- fort from Russell Wilson. A
tle remains the class of the week after one of the worst
NFC West. games of his career, with
The Seahawks clinched five interceptions in a 38-10
their third division title in loss at Green Bay, Wilson
the past four seasons with was back to being a dy-
a 24-3 win over the Rams, namic playmaker.
adding another setback He threw for 229 yards and
to an already lost season three touchdowns, hitting
for Los Angeles. It was the Luke Willson on an 8-yard
capper to a crazy week for score, finding Doug Bald-
the Rams that started with win on a 1-yard TD late
the firing of head coach in the third quarter and
Jeff Fisher and concluded the capper a 57-yard strike
with a fifth straight loss. to Tyler Lockett on the sec-
And while interim coach ond play of the fourth quar-
John Fassel soaked up his ter to put the game out of
first opportunity to be an reach.
NFL head coach - with his Lockett finished with seven
dad, former NFL coach catches for a career-high Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) pushes off Los Angeles Rams middle line-
Jim Fassel, in attendance - 130 yards. backer Alec Ogletree (52) in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in
he also was witness to the “It’s taken a complete Seattle.
same mistakes that have team effort every time and Associated Press
led to a miserable season it’s a special thing to be even referenced the Super posed himself to the hit. He turf, was hit in the helmet
for his team. able to go to the playoffs Bowl when Wilson’s pass was pulled to be checked from the side and suffered
Los Angeles botched early five years in a row,” Wilson from the 1 was intercepted for a concussion and never a concussion.
opportunities to put a scare said. by New England’s Malcolm returned. SCORING TITLE: The three
into the Seahawks, includ- That touchdown pass Butler. “It’s a learning experience points allowed by Seattle
ing Michael Thomas drop- to Baldwin wasn’t with- “I don’t like it when we for me to make sure the kid will give the Seahawks a
ping a potential touch- out controversy thanks to throw the ball at the 1,” gets down and gets out of chance going into the final
down and Goff throwing teammate Richard Sher- Sherman said. “We throw bounds and protects the two weeks of claiming the
behind wide-open Brian man. Seattle’s star cor- an interception at the 1 - football and his body,” Fas- scoring defense title for a
Quick in the end zone. nerback was livid on the luckily it went incomplete sel said. “He also knows fifth straight year. The Se-
One play after Goff and sideline about the decision - and I wasn’t going to let that and this will teach him ahawks are allowing 16.8
Quick couldn’t connect, to have Wilson throw on them continue to do that.” that that’s what he’s got to points per game and close
Gurley was stopped on first-and-goal from the 1, Here are some other things do.” the season against Arizona
fourth down. Seattle scored a pass intended for Jimmy to know after Seattle RYAN’S RUN: Seattle punter and San Francisco.
on the ensuing drive, and Graham that was almost snapped a three-game los- Jon Ryan got his moment GURLEY’S ROLE: Gurley’s
the Seahawks took control. intercepted. ing streak to the Rams: of glory, pulling off a fake lackluster second season
“Obviously, losing was dis- Two plays later Baldwin GOFF’S GAMBLE: Goff punt midway through the continued. The running
appointing,” Fassel said. caught the touchdown, scrambled for a 15-yard run fourth quarter and running back was held to 38 yards
“But standing out in the sta- but not before Sherman in the fourth quarter and for 26 yards. on 14 carries, a total that
dium and my dad was on screamed toward coach took a huge hit from Sher- The play ended in disaster. included a 22-yard run.
the sideline and just look- Pete Carroll about the de- man along the sideline. Ryan bobbled the ball as Gurley had five runs that
ing around at the stands - cision to throw. Goff could have gone out he sprinted into Rams terri- went for no gain or nega-
how quickly things change After the game, Sherman of bounds sooner, but ex- tory and as he went to the tive yardage.q