The Los Angeles Rams got a big assist from the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC Championship Game, and the NFL could take an additional interest in the individual responsible âcornerback Riq Woolenâin the coming days.
LA found itself trailing the Seahawks early in the third meeting between the two teams of the season. They were facing an ominous situation when Woolen bailed them out.
That decision could prove costly for the veteran defender.
Seahawks CB Riq Woolen Facing Discipline Over Rams Game
GettyRiq Woolen #27 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the Houston Texans.
During the third quarter, with the Rams trailing 31-20 and facing a fourth-and-12 after Matthew Staffordâs pass intended for Puka Nacua was broken up by Woolen, the 2022 Pro Bowler corner drew a flag for âunsportsmanlike contactâ after âtauntingâ LAâs sidelines.
Taunting is on the leagueâs list of fineable offenses.
According to the NFLâs Accountability: Fines & Appeals page, taunting can draw fines up to $11,593 for first offenses and as much as $17,389 on additional infractions.
The NFL fined players for taunting 47 times between the regular and postseason, heading into Championship Sunday, per Spotrac. For Woolen, it would be his third such offense after he was fined for taunting twice during the regular season.
He received the standard $11,593 fine in Week 9 against the Washington Commanders.
The NFL fined Woolen again in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, docking him the escalated $17,389 amount that time.
The Rams ended that drive one play later, when Stafford found Nacua for a 34-yard scoring strike. Woolen also drew a 5-yard illegal contact penalty on that drive. However, the Rams were unable to regain a lead over the Seahawks in the contest.
A costly defensive holding penalty on Cobie Durant during the fourth quarter extended a drive.
The Rams squandered an opportunity for points, with Staffordâs pass attempt to rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson falling incomplete.
Moreover, they struggled to stop the Seahawksâ offense, allowing touchdowns on four of five scoring drives compared to converting three of their five scoring opportunities, not counting the turnover on downs at the Seahawksâ 6-yard line.
The result of it all was the Ramsâ season ending one win shy of another Super Bowl berth.
Rams Hit Offseason After NFC West Rival Ends Campaign
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on after facing the Arizona Cardinals.
LA played a clean game, which could allow them to avoid the NFLâs additional scrutiny that follows every game. However, the league also fines players for infractions that went uncalled.
Either way, the outcome will pale in comparison to the loss for the Rams, who boasted multiple Pro Bowlers and could have the MVP in Stafford. Losing to the Seahawks, the NFC West rival, in Seattle for the second time only adds salt to the wound.
The two teams split their meetings during the regular season, both winning at home.
The Rams had home-field advantage late in the regular season, which would have brought the Seahawks back to LA for this contest, all other factors being the same.
Instead, the Rams dropped back-to-back primetime games against the Seahawks on âThursday Night Footballâ and the Falcons on âMonday Night Football,â dropping from the No. 1 seed to fifth and never fully recovering.
The Rams will have plenty to ponder this offseason.
While the Rams head into their extended break, the Seahawks advance to take on the New England Patriots in a rematch of the 2015 Super Bowl.
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