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Updated Jan. 20, 2019 at 11:18 PM

Los Angeles Rams silence Saints, advance to Super Bowl LIII

By
Connor Grott
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and defensive back Marqui Christian (41) celebrate defeating the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship game on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by Mark Wallheiser/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Rams teammates celebrate with kicker Greg Zuerlein (4) after he kicked the game-winning field goal against the New Orleans Saints in overtime on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdone in New Orleans. Photo by Mark Wallheiser/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) scores against the New Orleans Saints late in the first half on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by Mark Wallheiser/UPI | License Photo
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton reacts to a call during the NFC Championship with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks (12) slips out of the grasp of New Orleans Saints strong safety Vonn Bell (24) during the NFC Championship game on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) in the first half of the NFC Championship on Sunday in New Orleans. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein (4) holds the NFC Championship trophy after the Rams beat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) has a pass deflected away while trying to make a catch in the end zone in the second half of the NFC Championship on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdone in New Orleans. Photo by Mark Wallheiser/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and Los Angeles Rams free safety Lamarcus Joyner (20) celebrate defeating the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by Mark Wallheiser/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Rams players and coaches rush the field after they beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) celebrates with teammates after the Rams beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks (12) makes a 36-yard reception at the end of the first half to set up the Rams' first touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by Mark Wallheiser/UPI | License Photo
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) warms up before the NFC Championship with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo

Jan. 20 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Rams silenced the raucous New Orleans crowd with a 26-23 overtime victory over the Saints in Sunday's NFC Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein drilled a 48-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. He followed that kick with a 57-yard boot in the extra period to lift Los Angeles to Super Bowl LIII.

The defeat was New Orleans' first home playoff loss with quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton. Los Angeles (15-3) reached its first championship game since the 2001-02 season.

"God is good," Rams running back Todd Gurley said with tears in his eyes. "I love my teammates. We fought hard, and they encouraged me all game even when I had mistakes. I really love this team, coaches, everybody.

RELATED NFC Championship: Saints, Rams aim to keep high-flying ways ailve

"I love this game so much. I've been dreaming of this all my life, and for us to be in this position to make it to the Super Bowl is such a great feeling."

The contest's shocking end came after Brees and the Saints received the ball first in overtime. Brees was under pressure from Rams defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., who made contact with the quarterback's arm.

The fluttering ball fell into the arms of Los Angeles safety John Johnson III, who hung on to the interception while falling down. The Rams drove to the Saints' 39-yard line and Zuerlein connected on the winning kick.

RELATED Saints survive Eagles, advance to NFC Championship

New Orleans (14-4) squandered an early 13-0 lead in the first half. Zuerlein made a 36-yard field goal and Gurley ran for a 6-yard score to make it 13-10 at halftime.

Saints utility man Taysom Hill caught a 2-yard touchdown from Brees to give New Orleans a 20-10 advantage with 8:34 to go in the third quarter.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff found a wide open Tyler Higbee for a 1-yard touchdown late in the third frame, and Zuerlein made a 24-yard kick to even the score at 20-20 with 5:03 left in the game.

RELATED Rams ground up Cowboys to advance to NFC title game

Controversy ensued on the Saints' next possession. On third-and-10 with 1:48 left in the fourth, Brees threw a pass down the right sideline to receiver Tommylee Lewis, who fell to the ground after contact from cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. Payton pleaded with officials for a pass interference call, but never received a flag.

"Frustrating, you know," Payton told reporters about the play. "Just getting off the phone with the league office. They blew the call. Man, there were a lot of opportunites, though. But that call puts it first-and-10, and we're on our knee three plays. It's a game-changing call."

Kicker Wil Lutz and the Saints settled for a 31-yard field goal with under two minutes remaining, giving the Rams more time to set up Zuerlein's winning kicks.

Goff completed 25-of-40 passes for 297 yards with one touchdown and an interception. Gurley, who battled a knee issue in recent weeks, ran four times for 10 yards and a touchdown. C.J. Anderson absorbed a larger workload and had 16 carries for 44 yards.

Brees was 26-for-40 passing with 249 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. The running back duo of Alvin Kamara combined for 30 touches and 148 total yards.

The Rams face off against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3 in Atlanta.

  • Topics
  • Sean Payton
  • Todd Gurley
  • Drew Brees
  • Jared Goff
  • C.J. Anderson
  • John Johnson
  • New England Patriots
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • P. Diddy
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