LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Todd Gurley stretched the ball toward the goal line, Earl Thomas soared in with perfect timing and a martial arts-style chop to the running back’s arm, knocking the ball out for a touchback.
After an impressive start to the season, the Rams thought they were ready to run past the NFC West’s perennial power.
Thomas and the Seattle Seahawks barely swatted away the upstarts in a defensive performance full of timely brilliance.
Russell Wilson passed for 198 yards and a touchdown, and Thomas forced two of the Rams’ five turnovers in the Seahawks’ 16-10 victory Sunday.
Jimmy Graham scored late in the first half in a defense-dominated win for the Seahawks (3-2), who shut out the NFL’s highest-scoring offense in the second half and won despite getting outgained 375-241.
“We all played so well on defense,” Thomas said. “Even when our back was against the wall, we squared up in the red zone. This is the No. 1 offense, and we did a great job.”
Thomas made enormous plays early and late. The veteran safety stripped Gurley at the pylon to kill the Rams’ opening drive, and he intercepted Jared Goff’s fluttering pass at midfield with 6:02 to play.
Sheldon Richardson also came through with two big plays, diving to intercept a deflected pass in the third quarter before scooping up Goff’s fumble near midfield with 2:45 left.
“He’s going to be all right,” Richardson said of Goff, who went 22 of 47 for 288 yards with three costly turnovers. “He’s not the same guy from last year. But he’s no Tom Brady yet.”
Goff moved the Rams 55 yards in the final 1:09, but Seattle’s defense made its final stop. Rams rookie Cooper Kupp barely missed a diving TD grab on third down, and Goff’s fourth-down pass to Kupp was too low.
“For our guys to come through and finish like that, that’s as exciting as the game gets,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.
Tavon Austin rushed for a 27-yard TD for Los Angeles (3-2). After a quick start to the season that caught the NFL’s attention, the Rams wasted their strong defensive game when new coach Sean McVay’s offense ran into the Legion of Boom.
“We had a 12-play drive and a 13-play drive that went for no points, so it wasn’t so much we weren’t moving the ball,” Goff said. “We just weren’t finishing drives. We got into the red zone and didn’t do a good job. That’s where it shows up. You see why Seattle has been so good for so long defensively.”
Wilson didn’t have big numbers, but the quarterback put on a performance of vintage resourcefulness, repeatedly wriggling away from the Rams’ pursuing defense to make plays. Blair Walsh’s two second-half field goals turned out to be the difference for Seattle, which managed just 97 yards in the second half.
SOLID START FOR RAMS
Austin, the wide receiver used more often as a ball carrier by McVay, scored the game’s first points when he took a handoff and high-stepped to the end zone early in the second quarter.
Wilson then threw an interception to Rams rookie John Johnson, who returned it 69 yards before Wilson made a possible touchdown-saving tackle.
SO CLOSE
Thomas forced Gurley’s fumble on a play that was ruled a touchdown on the field, but went to video review because it could have been seen three ways: A touchdown, out of bounds on the 1, or a fumble and touchback. Officials eventually ruled Gurley had lost control of the ball an instant before stepping out of bounds.
“I did a great job watching the Bruce Lee movies, and it kind of carried over to the football field,” Thomas said of his chop.
Thomas made an incredibly similar play against the St. Louis Rams in 2014, chopping the ball out of Benny Cunningham’s hand at the goal line.
SO CLOSE AGAIN
Kupp, the Rams’ impressive third-round choice, barely missed the biggest catch of his young career on a tough ball. “I expect to make that play,” said Kupp, who had three catches for 44 yards. “I can’t say anything about whether it was behind me or a one-hand catch. If I’m putting my hands on the ball, I’ve got to make that play.”
INJURIES
Seahawks: DE Michael Bennett went to the locker room late in the first half after injuring his right foot. He returned for the second half, keeping Seattle sound at the position while playing without injured Cliff Avril and Quinton Jefferson.
Rams: Starting safeties Lamarcus Joyner and Maurice Alexander both didn’t play. Joyner had a hamstring injury, but Alexander’s absence wasn’t injury-related. “It was nothing disciplinary,” McVay said, calling it a personnel decision.
UP NEXT
Seahawks: A bye week, followed by a trip to the New York Giants on Sunday, Oct. 22.
Rams: At Jacksonville on Sunday before traveling to London.
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Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Blair Walsh #7 of the Seattle Seahawks prepares to kick a field goal during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams during the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Justin Coleman #28 of the Seattle Seahawks breaks up a pass play intended for Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks points to officials during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks passes as Tanzel Smart #92 and Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams defend during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Tavon Austin #11 of the Los Angeles Rams eludes Shaquill Griffin #26 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Bobby Wagner #54, Justin Coleman #28 and Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks react to breaking up a pass play to Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Cooper Kupp #18 is unable to catch a pass as Gerald Everett #81 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the second half of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Kam Chancellor #31 celebrates a broken pass play with Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Kayvon Webster #21 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball down field during the third quarter in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: DeAndre Elliott #21 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks hands the ball off to Eddie Lacy #27 during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: DeAndre Elliott #21 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks throws a pass during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Justin Coleman #28 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Thomas Rawls #34 of the Seattle Seahawks cuts backk on Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter in at 16-10 Seahawks win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a catch over the middle in front of Shaquill Griffin #26 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter in a 16-10 Seahawks win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Tavon Austin #11 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks signs autographs for fans after a 16-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks signs autographs for fans after a 16-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams meets Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks after a 16-10 Seahawks win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks runs down field during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: The Seattle Seahawks celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks throws a pass during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Thomas Rawls #34 and Jimmy Graham #88 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: DeAndre Elliott #21 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a first down after catching the pass during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Cody Davis #38 of the Los Angeles Rams intercepts the ball from DeAndre Elliott #21 of the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: DeAndre Elliott #21 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a first down after catching the pass during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Tavon Austin #11, Sammy Watkins #12 and Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball down field during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball down field during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Graham #88 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles RamsLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Head Coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks speaks to an offical during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
