The Rams’ defense entered Saturday’s NFC divisional-round playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys with one challenging goal — stop Ezekiel Elliott.
The NFL’s rushing leader had run for more than 100 yards seven times during the regular season. In last week’s wild-card victory over the Seattle Seahawks he did it again.
“He was obviously dominant, and probably one of the reasons they won that game,” Rams defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh said. “So our focus was to shut him down.”
The Rams did that in a 30-22 victory at the Coliseum that put them in the NFC championship game.
Elliott scored a touchdown but rushed for only 47 yards, averaging 2.4 yards per carry. The Cowboys converted only one of 10 third-down opportunities.
It was a clutch effort by a Rams defense that during the season ranked 23rd in rushing defense, giving up 122.3 yards per game.
“We just did our job, we didn’t think about anything else,” tackle Aaron Donald said. “We just played our football. It was win, or go home.”
The Rams stopped Elliott on a key fourth-down play in the fourth quarter. They had three tackles for a loss, Suh pressured Dak Prescott with a pair of quarterback hurries and Dante Fowler added a hurry and recorded an eight-yard sack.
Joyner returns
Safety Lamarcus Joyner returned to the lineup after sitting out the final game of the regular season because of an ankle injury he suffered against the Arizona Cardinals. He combined with safety John Johnson to stop Elliott on fourth down.
Joyner is playing under the franchise tag this season for about $11.3 million. It is unlikely that the Rams would place the franchise tag on him again, so Joyner will become a free agent unless he agrees to terms on a contract extension.
Finally a winner
Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth finally won a playoff game, ending his losing streak at seven.
“It’s great but I feel like this team has potential for more than that,” he said.
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Rams running back Todd Gurley beats Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones for a 35-yard touchdown during the second quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Running back C.J. Anderson (35) celebrates after gaining a first down that allowed the Rams to run out the clock in the fourth quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back C.J. Anderson (35) breaks through tackle attempts of Cowboys outside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (55) and defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford (98) for extra yardage during the first half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams safety John Johnson almost comes up with an interception on a pass intended for Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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The Rams defense stops Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for a short gain during the first quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks for an open receiver as Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins applies pressure. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott tries to escape the Rams rush. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back C.J. Anderson (35) celebrates with receiver Brandin Cooks (12) and other teammates after he scored a touchdown on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams nose tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) puts pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the first half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) hands off to running back Todd Gurley (30) during the first half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back C.J. Anderson (35) reaches over the goal line to give the Rams a 13-7 lead in the second quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) and cornerback Marcus Peters (22) react after a defensive stop on the Dallas Cowboys. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back C.J. Anderson (35) finds a hole in the Cowboys defense during the fourth quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) leaps through the tackle of Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) and middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) during the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams tight end Tyler Higbee can’t make the catch in the end zone as he’s defended by Cowboys safety Jeff Heath. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams quarterback Jared Goff unleashes a pass off against the Cowboys. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams coach Sean McVay celebrates after a touchdwon by running back Todd Gurley. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back Todd Gurley beats Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to the goal line on a 35-yard touchdown run during the second quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams defensive end Aaron Donald stops Cowboys running Ezekiel Elliott during a run in the third quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, left, and Samson Ebukam (50) stop Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott during the third quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams defenders Ndamukong Suh, left, and Dante Fowler (56) put pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the fourth quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back Todd Gurley celebrates along with his teammates on the sideline after his TD run in the second quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams nose tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) tries to sack Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the first half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams linebacker Dante Fowler sacks Coyboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the second quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) breaks through the tackle attempt of Cowboys free safety Xavier Woods (25) to score on a 35-yard run during the second quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back Todd Gurley beats Cowbows cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to finish off his scoring run during the second quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers star LeBron James, left, and Rams owner Stan Kroenke greet each other before the game against the Cowboys. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Whitworth lost in the wild-card round six times when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals, and in 2017 with the Rams.
Whitworth aided a robust Rams run game, where Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson combined for 238 rushing yards.
Zuerlein kicks in
Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein made three field goals in his first playoff game. Zuerlein kicked a team-record seven field goals against the Cowboys last season in a 35-30 victory at Dallas. He did not play in the wild-card game against the Falcons because he was sidelined while recovering from back surgery.
Austin returns
The game marked the return to the Coliseum of Tavon Austin, the eighth pick in the 2013 draft with the Rams who signed a four-year, $42-million extension with the team before the 2016 season. But in 2017 he caught only 13 passes and lost his punt-return job.
In April, the Rams traded Austin to the Cowboys for a sixth-round draft pick.
Austin was injured during much of this season, catching eight passes for 140 yards. Saturday night, he had one catch for minus-two yards.
Etc.
There was some thought during the week that Cowboys fans might make up the majority of the crowd, but Dallas supporters appeared to be only about one-third of those in attendance. ... There were plenty of celebrities and athletes at the game. Peyton Manning brought his son Marshall, who wore a Gurley jersey in the first half and a Donald jersey in the second. LeBron James also made an appearance on the field, and was escorted to a private box before the game. Golfer John Daly was also there.
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Follow Gary Klein on Twitter @latimesklein
