After heading into their bye week with a 1-4 record, the Los Angeles Rams really needed a win against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7 to get their season back on track. And although it wasn’t pretty, the Rams did exactly that, coming away with a 20-15 victory at SoFi Stadium to improve to 2-4.
While the Rams young defense struggled to begin the season, they won them this game. It’s worth noting that the Raiders aren’t exactly some offensive juggernaut and were missing some key players, but that shouldn’t take away from the job Chris Shula’s defense did, especially with the Rams offense continuing to struggle while missing key players of their own.
The Rams defense came up with four turnovers in this game, three interceptions and a strip sack, while scoring more touchdowns themselves than they allowed the Raiders.
Holding an offense to just five field goals is impressive in its own right, but when that is coupled with four game-changing turnovers, that is hard for a team to overcome.
L.A.’s secondary is extremely young and lacks experience, but they are seeming to improve with each week. Cobie Durant had arguably the best game of his career in Week 7, starting things off with an interception. He then got home on a blitz and forced a fumble on Gardner Minshew, which safety Kamren Curl picked up and returned for a touchdown.
Curl also had a great game in his own right with seven total tackles, two passes defensed and the touchdown.
Perhaps the star of the day on defense though was undrafted rookie safety Jaylen McCollough, who had two interceptions, including the one to seal the game when the Raiders were trailing by five on their final drive.
COBIE PICKS IT OFF!
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— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 20, 2024
Make it NINE games in a row with a rushing touchdown!
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— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 20, 2024
Well that escalated quickly.
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— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 20, 2024
JAYLEN MCCOLLOUGH!
📺 @NFLonCBS | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/e3jnaTapg8
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 20, 2024
KYREN RUNNIN' ANGRY
📺 @NFLonCBS | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/fqbdKBqPVe
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 20, 2024
JAYLEN CALLED GAME.
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— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 20, 2024
McCollough has only played 33 defensive snaps in the last two games but has three interceptions, certainly making his case for more playing time.
One the offensive side of the ball, it was once again a grind for the Rams, who were still without Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Tyler Higbee, Steve Avila, Jonah Jackson and Joe Noteboom.
Kyren Williams did his thing on the ground with 76 yards and two touchdowns, now scoring in nine straight games dating back to last season.
Tyler Johnson led the way through the air with 56 receiving yards, but it was clear that the Rams offense is still missing a ton of firepower.
Despite the win, the kicking game continues to be an issue for the Rams. The hope was that rookie Joshua Karty would solve that, but he missed a chip shot field goal and an extra point in this one, which would have helped put the game away. Karty has now missed two field goals and two extra points in just six games so if that continues, the Rams may have to look elsewhere for a reliable kicker.
What’s next for the Rams
The Rams don’t have much time to celebrate this win as they will host the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football, which should be a much tougher test.
Kupp is expected to be back in the lineup, which should be a huge boost for a Rams offense that will be going against one of the best defenses in the NFL on short rest.
