INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams’ defense hasn’t been good in its first season after Aaron Donald’s retirement. Forcing turnovers has been a particular area of struggle.
A chance to play against the Raiders’ subpar offense run by its 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 later caused the fumble returned for a TD by Curl for the Rams (2-4), who forced Gardner Minshew to commit four turnovers — the same number harvested by Los Angeles 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 emphasized it, and it displayed today. What a great day it is to attack the ball!”
The Raiders’ backup QB was forced into action by an early hand injury for Aidan O’Connell, and the Rams pounced. Jaylen McCollough had two more interceptions for Los Angeles, including the game-clinching pick with 1:18 to play.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” said McCollough, an undrafted rookie who played 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 fall into place.”
Matthew Stafford passed for 154 yards — his lowest total in four seasons with Los Angeles — as the Rams (2-4) snapped a two-game skid during their worst start to a season in coach Sean McVay’s eight years in charge.
Minshew passed for 154 yards for the Raiders (2-5) after replacing 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 know more after additional tests in Las Vegas.
In their first game since trading Davante Adams to the Jets, the Raiders were forced to settle for five field goals by 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 picked off Minshew’s final heave 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 to begin the season before losing the job to O’Connell this month, but the journeyman QB only excelled at getting 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, 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 rushed 13 yards for a score in the second quarter, recording a rushing touchdown in his ninth consecutive game. The third-year pro has an NFL-best 24 touchdowns from scrimmage since the start of last season despite playing in only 18 of a possible 23 games.
Durant then forced a fumble while blitzing Minshew. Curl scooped it up and ran untouched for his first TD 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 snared a pass deflected by the Raiders’ DJ Turner, and Williams made his second TD run.
Nate Hobbs intercepted a deflected pass and returned it 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 to play and the Raiders drove to the Los Angeles 4 before rookie DJ Glaze false-started on fourth and goal, compelling the Raiders to kick again.
Home team
The Rams improved to 3-0 against the Raiders since they returned to the Los Angeles market, which these two franchises shared for 13 years from 1982-94. The Raiders have lost six straight at SoFi Stadium to the Rams and Chargers.
Injuries
Raiders: TE Harrison Bryant went to the locker room in the third quarter with an elbow injury.
Rams: WR Cooper Kupp missed his fourth consecutive game after participating in practice all week. McVay said afterward that he expects the Super Bowl 56 MVP to play Thursday night.
Up next
Raiders: Host Kansas City on Sunday.
Rams: Host Minnesota on Thursday night.
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