INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams defense hasn’t been good in its first season after Aaron Donald retired. Forcing turnovers has been a particular area of struggle.
A chance to play against the Raiders’ mediocre offense led by his backup quarterback was the perfect antidote.
Kam Curl returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown and Kyren Williams rushed for 76 yards and two scores in the Rams “20-15 victory over Las Vegas on Sunday.
Cobie Durant had an interception and then caused the fumble returned for a TD by Curl for the Rams (2-4), who forced Gardner Minshew into four turnovers — the same number Los Angeles had in its first five games of the season combined. .
“The emphasis on attacking the ball was at an all-time high today,” Durant said. “All week we’ve been emphasizing that, and it showed today. What a great day to attack the ball!
The Raiders’ backup QB was forced into action by Aidan O’Connell suffers early hand injuryand the Rams pounced. Jaylen McCollough had two more interceptions for Los Angeles, including the game-clinching pick with 1:18 left.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” said McCollough, an undrafted rookie who played five seasons at Tennessee. “We are growing together as a defense. There’s a lot more chemistry, a lot more responsibility. We trust each other and it’s starting to come together.
Matthew Stafford passed for 154 yards — his lowest total in four seasons with Los Angeles — as the Rams (2-4) ended a two-game skid in their worst start to a season in the eight years at the helm of coach Sean McVay.
Minshew passed for 154 yards for the Raiders (2-5) after replacing O’Connell, who did not return after a clinch collision with Curl on the Raiders’ second offensive series.
O’Connell said his thumb “went numb and it hurts.” The Raiders will know more after additional testing in Las Vegas.
In their first match since trade Davante Adams to the Jetsthe Raiders were forced to settle for five field goals from Daniel Carlson after repeatedly giving the ball away or struggling in the red zone.
The Raiders fell behind 20-6 midway through the third quarter, but had two late drives with a chance to save their game.
After settling for a short field goal with 2:46 left after reaching the Los Angeles 4, Las Vegas got the ball back with 1:39 left — but McCollough nailed Minshew’s final heave at the Vegas 34.
“We have to be smart with the ball,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “At the end, you try to (take) a photo. I understand that one. Others need to do a better job.
Minshew was the Raiders’ starter to start the season before losing his job to O’Connell this month, but the journeyman QB only excelled at passing the ball to star rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who had 10 catches for 93 yards.
“To have a game where we lose by five points and have four turnovers, it’s critical, and it’s unfair to the rest of the team,” Minshew said. “So I’m going to go back, watch the movie. I’m not going to sulk, I’m not going to pout, but whatever we need to do to fix them, I’ll do it.”
Williams raced 13 yards for a score in the second quarter, recording a rushing touchdown in his ninth straight game. The third-year pro has thrown an NFL-best 24 touchdowns from scrimmage since the start of last season, despite playing in just 18 of a possible 23 games.
Durant then forced a fumble by powerbombing Minshew. Curl scooped it up and ran untouched for his first touchdown since a 76-yard interception return as a rookie with Washington in 2020.
“My first position was running back, so I’m kind of used to that (when) I get the ball in my hand,” Curl said with a smile.
The Los Angeles defense got its third takeaway when McCollough caught a deflected pass from the Raiders’ DJ Turner, and Williams had his second TD run.
Nate Hobbs intercepted a deflected pass and gave it back to the Rams 14 late in the third quarter, but Vegas couldn’t cash in.
Rams rookie Joshua Karty missed a 35-yard field goal attempt with 10:11 left and the Raiders drove to the Los Angeles 4 before rookie DJ Glaze made a false start on fourth-and-goal, forcing the Raiders to kick again.
Home team
The Rams improved to 3-0 against the Raiders since returning to the Los Angeles market, which these two franchises shared for 13 years, from 1982 to 1994. The Raiders have lost six straight games at SoFi Stadium to the Rams and Chargers.
Injuries
Raiders: TE Harrison Bryant returned to the locker room in the third quarter with an elbow injury.
Rams: WR Cooper Kupp missed his fourth straight game after participating in practice all week. McVay said afterward that he expects the Super Bowl 56 MVP to play Thursday night.
To be continued
Raiders: Host Kansas City on Sunday.
Rams: Host Minnesota on Thursday night.
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