Gurley, Rams break 5-game slump with 21-14 win over Lions

They came out looking to establish the run game that’s averaging less than 80 yards per game while not involving WR Calvin Johnson.

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Both teams have struggled to meet high expectations: Lions lost on final play to Cowboys in last game to end three-game winning streak; Rams have lost five in row after entering November with winning record for first time since 2006….

After a weeklong investigation, the NFL determined it won’t punish the Rams for failing to adhere to the league’s concussion protocol.

“I was happy, I was excited”, said Gurley, who said the visit was pre-planned. Gurley had 16 carries and also caught one pass, while Austin ran four time for 40 yards and also caught three passes for 19 yards.

Rams DT Aaron Donald vs. Lions interior OL: Lions coach Jim Caldwell compared Donald to former Vikings DT John Randle and said his speed makes Donald “tough to handle”.

“No one has to tell me that you got to win in order to be successful in this business and maintain employment”, Caldwell said. Johnson has come on of late scoring four touchdowns in the past two games. “We might not be going to the playoffs, but it’s always good to bring that momentum going into the offseason”. It was four-and-out for Detroit, and just like that the local gridiron nightmare was over.

“We definitely have things rolling smoothly right now on offense”, Johnson said.

“I’m hopeful and I think that his comfort level is increasing”, Cooter said. “Especially 99”, he added, referring to Donald. He felt the secondary coverage was a key to getting to Stafford. “We’ve got to finish strong”. FOX has coverage of this game starting at 1:00 pm ET from the Edward Jones Dome.

Todd Gurley will need a monster game for St. Louis to keep the Rams in it. Gurley has been a very nice bright spot for St. Louis all year, rushing for better than 800 yards, but Detroit’s run defense is pretty solid.

After Tate’s second touchdown, the Lions recovered an onside kick after Bradley Marquez bobbled it, but turned it over on downs at the St. Louis 46. A few plays later, Gurley broke the plane for his second touchdown of the day, this time a 15-yard run to cap a seven-play, 91-yard drive.

Rob Boras will be calling plays for the first time in a dozen years for St. Louis after replacing Frank Cignetti on Monday. Season-ending injuries to standout end Robert Quinn and safety T.J. McDonald aren’t the whole story.

Going back to his interception, it was one of the instances when Trumaine Johnson was locked on in man coverage of Calvin and made a play on the ball quicker than Calvin could react to the pass. Stafford’s pass was completely within the range of his target, but it was all on Trumaine Johnson for jumping out in front of his cover assignment. So boring that my wife who usually stays up for every Lions game, fell asleep during the beginning of the second quarter. Hall of Famer Dan Marino did it in his 92nd game.