Rams defeat Seahawks with stingy defense to move to top of NFC West

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams intercepts a pass in the end zone in front of Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly in the second quarter on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The lofty statistics and ranking were earned against some of the NFL's least potent offenses.

But the Los Angeles Rams' defense proved its legitimacy on Sunday.

The Rams shut down the Seattle Seahawks and the league's highest scoring offense in a 23-16 NFC West victory at SoFi Stadium.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everette is tackeled by Seattle Seahawks defenders, from left, Jamal Adams, Ryan Neal and Bobby Wagner after a catch in the second quarter on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Cornerback Darious Williams intercepted two passes, edge rusher Leonard Floyd had three of the Rams' six sacks and also recovered a fumble, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey nearly shut out star receiver DK Metcalf as the Rams improved their record to 6-3.

The Seahawks went into the game averaging 34.3 points per game. But the Rams second-ranked defense, which had given up 19 points per game, stifled quarterback Russell Wilson as the Seahawks (6-3) lost their second game in a row.

Running backs Malcolm Brown rushed for two touchdowns and Darrell Henderson rushed for another to lead the Rams offense.

Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald forces Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson into an incomplete pass in the third quarter on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Sunday's game was the Rams' first since a 28-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 1, lowlighted by quarterback Jared Goff's two interceptions and two fumbles.

Goff was more efficient against the Seahawks. He completed 27 of 37 passes for 302 yards. He lost a fumble on a day when veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth suffered a knee injury.

It was a noteworthy victory for a Rams team that plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) next Monday night in their fifth and final road trip to the East Coast. It's a marquee nondivision matchup before NFC West games against the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee can't make the catch against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

The Rams led, 17-13, at halftime after Henderson and Brown scored on touchdown runs and Williams ended a threat with an interception in the end zone.

The Rams extended the lead in the third quarter with an 88-yard drive that ended with Brown's one-yard touchdown run. Kai Forbath missed the extra point, leaving the Rams with a 10-point margin.

Floyd, who had two sacks during one series in the third quarter, recovered a fumbled snap early in the fourth.

Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth is carted off the field after an injury against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Williams ended a Seahawks bid for a comeback when he picked off Wilson with 7:48 left.

The Seahawks got the ball back with 3:29 left, and kicked a field goal with 25 seconds left. But Rams receiver Robert Woods recovered an onside kick to seal the victory.

Wilson completed 22 of 37 passes for 248 yards, with two interceptions.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams gets his second interception of the game in front of Seattle Seahawks tight end Greg Olsen in the fourth quarter on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Metcalf caught only two passes for 28 yards.