The call was double cat, a designed blitz for cornerback Cobie Durant, lined up to the right side of the Rams defense. When Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson did a short motion outside, Durant followed, as if in man coverage, to disguise the real play call.
“I’m reading the receivers, seeing if they’re gonna block me or anything. I made it look like I was bumping out and then at the snap, I took off,” Durant said. “And I just came scot-free.”
By the time Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold realized what was happening, all he could do was try to run backward to avoid the sack. But he couldn’t, and Durant dropped him for a 12-yard loss, the first-ever postseason sack by a Rams cornerback.
The Vikings would have to punt two plays later, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty forced the Rams defense back onto the field. But it turned out the Vikings would have been better off punting the ball, as Durant jumped a route and intercepted a pass intended for Jordan Addison, giving the Rams the ball back with better field position, keeping the momentum going for the Rams’ 29-7 win in their playoff opener.
Considering how the past few weeks have played out for Durant, it’s a testament to his preparation that he was ready for both moments.
In Week 14, Durant suffered a lung contusion that required an overnight stay in the hospital. He missed the following game, and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon played so well that he took over Durant’s starting job.
The third-year corner didn’t receive one defensive snap in Weeks 16 and 17. But he got playing time in the regular season finale as the Rams rested starters, allowing one reception on two targets with a pass breakup.
But against the Vikings, the Rams took a committee approach and Durant was featured heavily in the game plan.
“He was a stud. He did a great job and he was ready to go. I thought he played well last week and thought he handled the things he could control the right way. His preparation and his approach,” head coach Sean McVay said. “I thought there were a lot of things that in terms of just preparation where he was able to anticipate, not guess, made some big-time plays and I was really proud of Cobie Durant.”
Staying ready despite a decreased workload has been a hallmark of this Rams defense this season. Earlier in the year, it was rookie safety Kamren Kinchens who had his role reduced after some growing pains. But he kept working at practice and saw that effort pay off with a three-turnover performance that cemented his role in the defense.
So Durant is the latest Ram to display that, not to allow any frustration over coaches’ decisions bubble up. He stayed his usual chatty self in the Rams locker room, didn’t take the decision personally and was prepared for the moment when his time came, under the brightest of lights.
“Whenever they call my number, I’m always ready,” Durant said. “That’s just how I approach the game. Things don’t always go in your favor. But when they call my number, I show up. Everybody’s playing at an exceptional level, man, you can’t play everybody. Whenever your number is called, I feel like everybody just takes advantage of their opportunity.”