ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Rams weren’t afraid to take chances, especially at the end Sunday.
Punter Johnny Hekker’s pass from the St. Louis 18 caught the Seattle Seahawks by surprise for the last of three big plays in a 28-26 victory over the defending Super Bowl champions.
Stedman Bailey had a 90-yard touchdown on a trick return that fooled the Seahawks into thinking another player was going to catch the punt, and Benny Cunningham’s 75-yard kickoff return set up an early touchdown for the Rams (2-4).
Yes, special teams were dangerous all day.
Russell Wilson rushed for 106 yards on seven carries and also passed for two touchdowns while going 23 for 36 for 313 yards. But the struggling Seahawks fell to 3-3 with a second straight loss.
The Seahawks dominated statistically, outgaining the Rams 463 yards to 272. Doug Baldwin’s’ 9-yard reception cut the deficit to two with 3:18 to go, but the Rams were able to run out the clock after Hekker’s completion to Cunningham on fourth-and-3.
Hekker was a high school quarterback and is 4 for 5 for 60 yards and a touchdown in three seasons. He also serves as the emergency quarterback.
Wilson was sacked three times by St. Louis, which trailed the NFL with just one in the first five games. Robert Quinn’s got his first of the season; Quinn led the NFC with a franchise-record 19 sacks last year.
The Rams led by at least two touchdowns at home for the third straight game and Bailey’s punt return made it 21-3 midway through the second quarter. They couldn’t hold on the first two times, coughing up a 14-0 advantage last Monday night against the 49ers, and a 21-point cushion against Dallas in Week 3.
On his tricky TD, Bailey had clear sailing past a stunned Seahawks sideline after an excellent fake by Tavon Austin drew most defenders to the opposite side of the field. Austin sold it well, staggering under the imaginary ball.
Seattle outgained the Rams 160-111 in the first half, but settled for two short field goals by Steven Hauschka and trailed 21-6.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
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