Todd Gurley, Rams beat Titans to win NFC West, 27-23

The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon in Week 16, 27-23. Here are all the highlights, the game recap and the final score.

For the first time since 2003, the Los Angeles Rams are division winners. The Rams win the NFC West on Sunday afternoon by knocking off the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, 27-23. This is the fist playoff berth for the Rams since the 2004 NFL season. Los Angeles improves to 11-4, while Tennessee falls to 8-7.

At first, it was the Todd Gurley show for the Rams offense, as he just went off with a pair of receiving touchdowns on the hapless Titans defense. He had over 100 yards receiving, as well as over 100 yards rushing. What a game for the Rams’ MVP candidate running back!

Then it was about the young second-year signal caller Jared Goff. Goff played brilliantly, as he was able to throw for four touchdowns and secure the Rams their first division title since he was in elementary school. He’s proving totally worth trading up to No. 1 to draft him out of Cal two years ago.

As for the Titans, they can only make the AFC playoffs as a wild card team now. They have collapsed down the stretch and cannot catch the playoff-bound Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South standings. Tennessee plays their rival at home on Sunday next week with their playoff hopes on the line.

The Rams might have the most dangerous team in the NFC heading into January. We’ve known that they have had elite defensive talent under former head coach Jeff Fisher. Now that they have a modern NFL offense under Coach of the Year front-runner Sean McVay, it could be a Super Bowl in Los Angeles for all we know.

Should the Titans could up short next week versus Jacksonville to fall to 8-8, that might cost head coach Mike Mularkey and his staff their jobs. Quarterback Marcus Mariota played better this week, but his regression in year three has been obvious. The Adams Family has to be concerned about the play of their franchise cornerstone.

The Rams are likely going to be the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs. They seem to match up well with most teams they face. The change of guard has absolutely happened in the NFC West. It is a Rams division now, as the Seattle Seahawks have faded. Don’t be shocked if the San Francisco 49ers with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback challenge Los Angeles in the NFC West next year.

Three Stars

1. Todd Gurley: Gurley had 22 carries for 118 yards. As a receiver, he had 10 receptions for 158 yards and two touchdown receptions.
2. Jared Goff: Goff completed 22 of 38 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns.
3. Cory Littleton: Littleton had seven tackles, three solo, two quarterback hits, a quarterback sack, a tackle for loss and an interception of Mariota.

Highlights

Next Game

The Rams will host their NFC West division rival in the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon in Week 17. Kickoff from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will be at 4:25 p.m. ET on Dec. 31. FOX will have the late afternoon telecast.

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The Titans will host their AFC South division rival in the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon in Week 17. Kickoff from Nissan Stadium in Nashville will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 31. CBS will have the early afternoon telecast.