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Rams Win 26-23 in Overtime, Advance to Super Bowl 53

The NFC Championship game came down to the wire, needing an overtime period to break the 23-23 tie. Despite the Saints striking first and never giving up the lead in regulation, the Rams won in overtime in a game filled with drama and a comeback sparked by a questionable pass interference non-call on Los Angeles.

23-year-old Jared Goff becomes the youngest quarterback to advance to the Super Bowl, over 40-year-old veteran Drew Brees and the Saints. The Rams advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2001 and await the winner of the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots.


The Saints defense dominated the first quarter, holding the Rams without a first down. A fake punt pass yielded Los Angeles their first first down of the day in the second quarter. But in the final three frames, Goff was able to find his receivers to complete long drives and put points on the board. With under 6 minutes left, the Saints defense denied C.J. Anderson at the goal line and the Rams tied the game at 20-20.

With punts on four of their last five drives, Brees needed to put points on the board to avoid a Rams comeback. On a 2nd and 12 play, he aired it out to Tedd Ginn Jr. for 43 yards, the longest offensive play of the game.
New Orleans was unable to take a huge chunk of time off the scoreboard however, as a quick incompletion, delay of game penalty, and questionable no-call on a potential Rams pass interference penalty relegated the Saints to a field goal to take a 23-20 lead.


Goff took the field for the Rams with 1:41 to play and just one timeout in his pocket. He was clutch on the drive, bouncing back from incompletions with first down throws to move the ball downfield. The offense stalled in the red zone, forcing a 48 yard field goal attempt by Greg Zuerlien. The kicker crushed the kick, which wavered in the air for a few seconds, to tie the game at 23 and force overtime.

The Saints opening drive in overtime wasn't going anywhere, and the Rams aggressive defense forced Brees into throwing an interception to the perfectly placed John Johnson, on his back. Dante Fowler forced Brees errant throw.
After the turnover, Los Angeles got another field goal attempt for Zuerlien: a 57-yarder to send the Rams to the Super Bowl. He absolutely crushed it despite a bad snap to send give the Rams their first lead of the game at the only time it mattered: the end.

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Photo Credits: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images

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