INGLEWOOD — Rams middle linebacker Bobby Wagner roared toward the rafters, twiddled his fingers and shouted from the sideline. Those were just a few reactionary moments from Wagner on Sunday during his first game against his former team of 10 years.

Wagner referred to the matchup against the Seattle Seahawks as just another game. Wagner’s emotions said otherwise and his handful of impact plays kept the Rams in the game, despite not having quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive lineman Aaron Donald and wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson.

But keeping it close was as far as the Rams got Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith connected with wide receiver DK Metcalf for the go-ahead touchdown to lift Seattle to a 27-23 victory against the Rams, who dropped their sixth straight game.

Wagner and his short-handed Rams defense held the Seahawks to field goals for most of the second half to allow the John Wolford-lead offense an opportunity to rally. Running back Cam Akers capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a six-yard rushing touchdown to give the Rams a 23-20 advantage with 2:56 left in regulation.

Wagner won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks and built a Hall-of-Fame-worthy resume with his first team, but Wagner had an unceremonious exit after the team failed to inform him that they planned on releasing him. He joined the Rams in the offseason and gave his former team a tough time Sunday. Wagner recorded two sacks, an interception and seven total tackles.

The Seahawks took a 20-16 lead after a 26-yard field goal from kicker Jason Myers with 6:46 left in regulation.

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Rams rookie cornerback Derion Kendrick had growing pains while defending Seahawks star receiver DK Metcalf, who ignited Seattle’s first scoring drive of the second half after hauling in a 40-yard pass near the right sideline. The Seahawks finished the drive with a 41-yard field goal from Myers to extend their lead to 17-13 with 7:33 in the third quarter.

Kendrick started as an outside cornerback because Troy Hill was ruled out with a groin injury. Michael Hoecht also received a starting opportunity at outside linebacker because Terrell Lewis was sidelined with a back injury. Hoecht took advantage of the extra sacks by recording two sacks and a forced fumble.

The Rams opened the game by attacking the Seahawks’ poor run defense, which entered Sunday allowing an average of 158.3 rushing yards per game. Akers capped the opening drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to give the Rams an early 7-0 advantage.

Wolford also contributed early with the passing game by starting 7 of 9 for 98 yards on two scoring drives. The Rams extended their lead to 10-7 after a Matt Gay 40-yard field goal with 2:37 in the first quarter. Wolford, however, forced a throw that was intended for rookie running back Kyren Williams and was intercepted by rookie cornerback Tariq Woolen midway through the second quarter.

The Rams were down 14-13 at halftime and entered the locker room with 208 total yards and 95 rushing yards. The Rams only had 198 total yards last week against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Smith also had a fast start after throwing two touchdown passes in the first half to give Seattle a 14-10 advantage. Smith had a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Noah Fant in the back of the end zone during the second quarter and delivered a 36-yard touchdown strike for wide receiver Tyler Lockett in the opening quarter.

More to come soon