The Los Angeles Rams’ defense has struggled this season since Aaron Donald’s retirement, especially when it comes to forcing turnovers.
Playing against the Raiders’ weak offense led by their backup quarterback turned out to be just what they needed.
Kam Curl returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown, and Kyren Williams ran for 76 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams’ 20-15 win over Las Vegas on Sunday.
Cobie Durant recorded an interception and caused the fumble that Curl returned for a touchdown. The Rams (2-4) managed to make Gardner Minshew commit four turnovers — the same total they had in their first five games combined.
“The emphasis on attacking the ball was at an all-time high today,” Durant said. “All week we emphasized it, and it showed today. What a great day it is to attack the ball!”
The Raiders’ backup QB was called into action after Aidan O’Connell injured his hand early in the game, and the Rams took advantage. Jaylen McCollough added two interceptions for Los Angeles, including a game-clinching pick with 1:18 left.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” said McCollough, an undrafted rookie who spent five seasons at Tennessee. “We’re growing together as a defense. There’s a lot more chemistry, a lot more accountability. We trust each other, and it’s starting to come together.”
Matthew Stafford threw for 154 yards — his lowest total in four seasons with the Rams — as they ended a two-game losing streak during their toughest start to a season in coach Sean McVay’s eight years.
Minshew also threw for 154 yards for the Raiders (2-5) after taking over for O’Connell, who didn’t return after a hand-to-hand collision with Curl during the Raiders’ second offensive series.
O’Connell said his thumb “went numb, and it’s hurting.” The Raiders will find out more after additional tests in Las Vegas.
In their first game since trading Davante Adams to the Jets, the Raiders had to settle for five field goals by Daniel Carlson after repeatedly turning the ball over or having trouble in the red zone.
The Raiders were down 20-6 midway through the third quarter, but they had two late drives that could have turned the game around.
After kicking a short field goal with 2:46 left while reaching the Los Angeles 4, Las Vegas got the ball back with 1:39 left — but McCollough intercepted Minshew’s last throw at the Vegas 34.
“We’ve got to be smart with the ball,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “At the end, you’re trying to take a shot. I get that one. The other ones, got to do a better job.”
Minshew was the Raiders’ starter at the beginning of the season before losing the job to O’Connell this month, but the experienced QB mainly focused on getting the ball to rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who caught 10 passes for 93 yards.
“To have a game where we lose by five points and have four turnovers, like, that’s critical, and it’s unfair to the rest of the team,” Minshew said. “So I’m going to go back, look at the film. Not gonna sulk, not gonna pout, but whatever we gotta do to fix ’em, I’m gonna do.”
Williams ran 13 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, marking a rushing touchdown in his ninth straight game. The third-year player has the best record in the NFL with 24 touchdowns from scrimmage since last season, even though he has played in only 18 of a possible 23 games.
Durant then forced a fumble while blitzing Minshew. Curl picked it up and ran without being touched 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 it (when) I get the ball in my hand,” Curl said with a grin. Los Angeles’ defense got its third takeaway when McCollough caught a pass that was deflected by the Raiders’ DJ Turner, and Williams scored his second touchdown.
Nate Hobbs intercepted a deflected pass and returned it to the Rams 14 late in the third quarter, but Vegas couldn’t take advantage.
Rams rookie Joshua Karty missed a 35-yard field goal attempt with 10:11 left in the game, and the Raiders drove to the Los Angeles 4 before rookie DJ Glaze false-started on fourth and goal, forcing the Raiders to kick again.
