LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay felt the pressure. So did quarterback Jared Goff. Despite producing back-to-back division titles for the first time in nearly four decades, both coach and quarterback knew the results that matter most are those produced in the playoffs. Last season, they fell flat in a wild-card loss to the Atlanta Falcons. On Saturday, in front of a boisterous, sold-out and star-studded crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, McVay executed a masterful game plan in a 30-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys in their NFC divisional-round game. "You look forward to these moments all year," Goff said after the game. "Getting a chance to play in a game like this and play well and come out on top is always what you dream about." C.J. Anderson led the Rams rushing attack that piled up big yards on the Cowboys. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images The Rams now await the winner of the divisional-round matchup Sunday between the NFC's top-seeded New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles before they make their first appearance in an NFC Championship Game since 2001. The playoff victory Saturday was a first for the 32-year-old McVay, who became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a playoff game, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. "It means a lot for this team," McVay said. "That's kind of what's special about it, is to be able to see guys have that success and then be a part of it and be able to share it with them." Against the Cowboys, Goff returned to the efficient and effective form he displayed in the first 11 weeks before he hit a late-season slump. In his first playoff win, the third-year quarterback completed 15 of 28 passes for 186 yards. He also rushed for a crucial first down late in the fourth quarter to ice the game. "Jared Goff showed his athleticism tonight," McVay said, chuckling. "That was a big-time deal to be able to convert with his legs." McVay has recently been in the spotlight as teams around the NFL fill head-coaching vacancies in an obvious attempt to replicate the explosive offense, and overnight success, the Rams' coach has produced in two seasons. But what won the game was McVay's savvy in nearly abandoning his signature, high-flying offense and instead relying heavily on the run against a Cowboys defense that last week decisively shut down the NFL's top rushing team in the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams piled up 273 yards rushing Saturday. After spending the final two games of the regular season sidelined because of inflammation and soreness in his left knee, Todd Gurley appeared fresh and fast. Gurley rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown. "Feels good," Gurley said about the win and his knee. "But this ain't s---. We still got one more. Keep winning. We gotta keep winning." 2018 NFL Playoffs Coverage From the wild-card round through Super Bowl LIII, ESPN.com has you covered. • Full schedule, news, notes » More NFL coverage » Veteran backup C.J. Anderson, whom the Rams signed on Dec. 18 to provide depth to an injury-struck position group, continued his late-season dominance. Anderson rushed for a combined 299 yards in the final two games of the regular season, then provided a perfect complement to Gurley, pounding the ball Saturday to pick up 123 yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys. "He's been running his tail off and doing everything right," Goff said. "I think the last few weeks without Todd, he showed what he could do. And this week, having both of them, that's special. It gives you a real dual threat of different backs." On Sunday, the Rams will watch the Saints-Eagles divisional-round game, knowing whichever team they face has defeated them before. Drew Brees and the Saints dealt the Rams their first loss of the season in Week 9 when the Rams could not overcome a 21-point deficit. And then the Eagles, in Week 15 behind Nick Foles, handed the Rams their second straight loss. L.A. fell to the Bears in Week 14. The Rams proved Saturday that the Super Bowl-or-bust talk that was sparked by a series of offseason trades and acquisitions, along with big-time paydays for Gurley and Aaron Donald, wasn't just hype. They have what it takes to win in the playoffs. But now, the pressure mounts again, as they're one win away from their season-long goal of a Super Bowl appearance. "We're going to enjoy it," Goff said. "Enjoy the moment, prepare our ass off and do everything we can."<doc-sep>A Los Angeles Rams fan had a bad time at the Saturday night playoff game against the Cowboys. Former MLB player Dallas Braden shared a video on Twitter of a man that had his face bitten, and it’s not pretty. It’s unclear from the video what started the whole incident or how it went down. However, it’s clear the police were not happy and the man suffered a serious facial wound. You can watch it below. Sometimes you just gotta bite down & go for it. pic.twitter.com/MlRSeCj9Em — Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) January 13, 2019 That facial wound is absolutely brutal. That won’t be healing up anytime soon. You can take that to the bank. That poor dude went to the Rams game to support Jared Goff and the rest of the squad against the Cowboys, and ended up going home with a serious injury to his face. (RELATED: Here Were The Best Moments From Wild Card Weekend In The NFL) What a horrific turn of events for that guy. One moment you’re watching the Rams dominate on their way to a win, and the next, part of your face is bleeding. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Los Angeles Rams (@rams) on Jan 13, 2019 at 9:56pm PST Props to this guy for maintaining his cool when the cameras were rolling. I think I speak for most men out there when I say that I would have lost it if somebody bit me in the face. H/T: Barstool Sports Follow David Hookstead on Twitter<doc-sep>
There was a lot of prognosticating last week before the Los Angeles Rams-Dallas Cowboys playoff game, per usual. The consensus was that the Achilles heel for the Rams was going to be their weak run defense. Whoops! ESPN’s Booger McFarland received the most dunks from Rams Twitter as he also called out the Rams’ offensive line. And he wasn’t out of left field. If you had to zero in on a weakness, the disappointing play of DT Ndamukong Suh isn’t a reach. Gotta love the @RamsNFL liabilities. Offensive line: 273 rushing, 0 sacks allowed Run defense: 50 yards surrendered Already liked @ESPNBooger before this week. Huge fan now for this bulletin board material. More next week, please! pic.twitter.com/iMqr3Qsn1A — J.B. Long (@JB_Long) January 13, 2019 However, pride is a powerful thing. And while it’s an overreaction to say that fans can expect the Rams’ run defense to shutdown RB Alvin Kamara next week in New Orleans because they played like wild animals this past Sunday, there’s still some truth to the idea. So much of football is mental and it makes sense that a veteran like Ndumokong Suh heard the disrespect all week and his emotions/anger/fury perfectly complimented with his technique resulting in his best game as an LA Ram. How do the Rams keep this up for next week you ask? Let’s all build up the narrative that Suh and company can’t do it again. Or that DT Aaron Donald has been overshadowed and isn’t worth his contract because he can’t deliver in the postseason. If the recipe for success with the run defense is anger, then let’s get some trash talk burning before the Rams take the field in New Orleans.