The Rams have their kicker to thank for a trip to the Super Bowl

The NFC Championship Game went to overtime when it had no business doing so. The Rams were given the game on a silver platter after an incredible no-call on pass interference resulted in a short Saints field goal, and with one time out all they needed to do was march down the field, like they’ve done countless times this season.

Instead L.A. took nine plays to go 45 yards, burning over a minute of clock time in the process. On paper it really doesn’t look that bad, but is it — promise.

After a few decent plays the mistakes began with 53 seconds left on the clock. The Saints defense collapsed in broken coverage giving Robert Woods an open lane to the end zone, with zero defenders in a position to stop him. Instead of keeping his footing and scoring what would have likely been a game-winning touchdown, he tripped and got a 16-yard gain.

This play took the wind out of the offense, and suddenly it was as if the offense forgot how to move the ball.

These three plays defined the end of regulation, and gave ample cause for the Rams to cough this game up when they were put in the driver’s seat. There’s little doubt the Saints were screwed on the non-call pass interference, but this moment is really what made the game so close.

Greg Zuerlein bailed out the offense with the game-tying field goal from 48 yards, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Rams’ offense lost its teeth when it needed them the most. When paired with Sean McVay’s inexplicable decision to kick a field goal from a half-yard out, it creates a tapestry of a young team terrified of making mistakes on the bigger stage of any of their careers.

We know it’s a moot point, the Rams went on thanks to a monster 57-yard field goal from Zuerlein in overtime — but it never should have been that close. Now a kicker becomes a legend.