INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In a closely contested game on Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams managed to secure a 20-15 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, thanks in part to Kam Curl’s impressive 33-yard fumble return for a touchdown and Kyren Williams’ outstanding performance, which included 76 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Cobie Durant played a pivotal role in the Rams’ defense by snagging an interception and forcing the fumble that Curl took to the end zone. The Rams’ defense caused chaos for the Raiders, making life difficult for Gardner Minshew, who stepped in as the starting quarterback after Aidan O’Connell sustained an injury to his hand early in the game.
The Rams, improving their record to 2-4, ended a two-game losing streak. Coach Sean McVay’s team had started the season with their worst record in eight years under his helm. Meanwhile, Minshew, in his replacement role for the Raiders (who now sit at 2-5), also threw for 154 yards following O’Connell’s early exit after a challenging play against Curl.
Despite managing to accumulate 317 yards of total offense in their first outing since trading Davante Adams to the Jets, the Raiders struggled to convert their chances into touchdowns. They repeatedly found themselves settling for field goals from Daniel Carlson, contributing to their ongoing three-game losing streak.
Las Vegas found themselves down 20-6 by the third quarter, but they made a determined push late in the game. After scoring a short field goal with just under three minutes remaining, they regained possession with hopes to turn the tide. However, Minshew’s last-ditch effort fell short when McCollough intercepted a pass at the Raiders’ 34-yard line to seal the Rams’ victory.
Historically, this win marks the Rams’ third consecutive victory against the Raiders since their return to Los Angeles. The two franchises have a shared history from 1982 to 1994, and the Rams have also extended their dominance with six straight victories against the Raiders and Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
O’Connell’s injury occurred during a play where he was penalized for intentional grounding. After leaving the game and returning later with a wrapped hand, he was unable to rejoin play. Minshew, who had initially started the season as the primary quarterback for the Raiders but lost the job to O’Connell, could only manage to connect effectively with rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who recorded 10 receptions for 93 yards during the game.
Williams’ performance was noteworthy as he rushed for a score in the second quarter, marking his ninth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown. Over the past season and a half, he has amassed an impressive total of 24 touchdowns from scrimmage, despite having played only 18 out of a potential 23 games due to injuries.
The Rams defense demonstrated relentless tenacity, obtaining a total of three takeaways, highlighted by McCollough’s second interception of the season, which was set up by DJ Turner deflecting Minshew’s pass. Following this, a 24-yard jet sweep by Xavier Smith paved the way for Williams’ second touchdown run.
In the final quarter, Rams rookie Joshua Karty missed a key 35-yard field goal attempt, providing the Raiders with an opportunity to drive towards the Los Angeles 4-yard line. However, a false start by DJ Glaze on fourth down forced Las Vegas to settle for their fifth field goal.
Injury updates indicated that Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant exited the game with an elbow injury. Meanwhile, Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp was sidelined for the fourth consecutive game despite a week of practice, with Coach McVay hinting that Kupp might participate in just one of their two upcoming games.
Looking ahead, the Raiders are set to host Kansas City next Sunday, while the Rams will face Minnesota in a Thursday night matchup.