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Rams earn second win with defense

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The defense of the Los Angeles Rams set the tone for the team’s 20-15 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Rams forced four turnovers, including coming up with three interceptions to deny the Raiders a win at SoFi Stadium.  “First of all, unbelievable job by our defense,” Rams head coach coach Sean McVay said after the game. “We talked about being able to finish games. They carried the way. They carried the torch today. To be able to get four turnovers, a couple of those ended up… they scored on one and then we turned two of those into touchdowns.”   All four turnovers that the Rams forced were timely. Two in particular stand out. With the Rams up 7-3 in the second quarter and time winding down on the half, Rams cornerback Cobie Durant baptized Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew with an unsuspected blitz that rocked the Raiders signal-caller so hard that he put the ball on the turf. 

Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl (3) scored on a 33-yard fumble return in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL regular season game played at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 20, 2024. The Rams defeated the Raiders, 20-15. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline In one fell swoop, safety Kamren Curl picked up the loose ball and ran 33 yards for the score. In the blink of an eye, the Rams had a 14-3 lead. Just like that, the momentum swung clearly in the Rams’ favor.  Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford gave credence to the way the team played.  “Yeah, our defense played unbelievable today,” Stafford remarked. “Obviously, forcing a bunch of turnovers, getting after the quarterback big stops. It was amazing.”  Stafford went on to discuss Durant’s game-altering sack/forced fumble, which resulted in seven points for the Rams.   “That play was awesome to see. I kind of had a sweet view of it from the sideline,” Stafford added. “The guard to tackle split and saw the back stepped up for somebody else so I knew we had a chance and you know, for him to get that up off of the quarterback and have Kam Curl scoop and score was amazing. Our guys played really well, made some great plays in the secondary all day long. It gave us a bunch of momentum a bunch of different times, which is what we needed so it was great.” 

Los Angeles Rams defenders Quentin Lake (37) and Byron Young (0) combine to make a tackle on Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (33) during an NFL regular season game played at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 20, 2024. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline Aside from his huge momentous play in the second quarter, Durant also recorded an interception in the game. But he was not the only Rams player to have a turnover party.  Rookie safety Jaylen McCollough was at the right place at the right time at end of the game. The Raiders had one more opportunity to march down the field and try to score a road win. They wouldn’t get that chance.   That’s because Minshew, who was getting pressure from edge rusher Byron Young, threw the football aimlessly downfield into the waiting hands of McCollough, who came up with his second interception on the day.   

Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse (8) breaks through the offensive line of the Las Vegas Raiders to try to make the tackle on running back Alexander Mattison (22) during an NFL regular season game played at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 20, 2024. Rams safety Kamren Curl (3) comes in to put the finishing touches on the play. The Rams defeated the Raiders, 20-15. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline “You have got to take care of the ball,” Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said. “The three interceptions and a sack-fumble, the football is the most important thing. You have got to take care of it and have got to be smart with the ball. At the end, you try to make a shot, get that one. The other ones… you have got to do a better job taking care of the ball.”  The pick by McCollough was reflective of the way the Rams played defense all afternoon: timely and aggressive.   “I thought (defensive coordinator) Chris Shula and the defensive staff put together an outstanding plan and really everybody on the defensive side had major contributions,” McVay said.  “For Jaylen McCollough to get two picks, for Cobie Durant to force a fumble that leads to the Kam Curl touchdown, and then also make a pick of his own... I thought we were rushing well. Really defense carried the way and really proud of those guys,” he added.   Read the full article