Former Tennessee Vol made huge under the radar play to change game on Sunday
The NFL loves to measure defensive performances in key statistical areas. However, sometimes it's the plays that don't show up on the stat sheets that end up making the difference in close games. That was the case on Sunday for former Tennessee Vols DE Byron Young, who was a major contributor in perhaps the biggest […]
The NFL loves to measure defensive performances in key statistical areas. However, sometimes it's the plays that don't show up on the stat sheets that end up making the difference in close games.
That was the case on Sunday for former Tennessee Vols DE Byron Young, who was a major contributor in perhaps the biggest play of the Los Angeles Rams' 26-20 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks.
With the game tied in the fourth quarter and the Seahawks on the doorstep of taking the lead, Young came off the edge and hit Seattle QB Geno Smith just as he was attempting to throw. The result was an off-target pass that went right to rookie safety Kamren Kinchens in the end zone, who raced 103 yards for a touchdown.
The play was pivotal, as the Rams would need those 7 points to get to overtime. In the extra frame, Young and the defense came up big, stopping the Rams on 4th and 1 in field goal range to get the ball back for their offense.
The Rams' offense finished the game minutes later on a walk-off Demarcus Robinson 40-yard touchdown catch. For the game, Young had a sack and 3 QB hits.
Young has had a recent knack for making game-changing plays. He was able to secure the game-clinching safety in the Rams' previous game, a 30-20 win over the Vikings, even if he was fortunate to avoid a penalty in the process.
It hasn't been a huge statistical year for the former Vol, with 31 combined tackles and 4 sacks through 8 games. However, it's hard to deny that Young has shown up when the Rams have needed him to this year. And he's been no small reason why Los Angeles has been able to close out their last two contests to help turn their season around at the midway point.
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