The Los Angeles Rams got a small dose of payback with their dominant 24-3 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday night, improving to 9-4 on the season.
Rams rookie running back Cam Akers stole the show by taking over workhorse duties in the backfield for the second straight week. Only this time, he managed to make history with the most rushing yards by a Rams rookie (171) since Jerome Bettis did it in 1993.
The Rams came out swinging with a 75-yard opening drive that was capped by quarterback Jared Goff’s fourth rushing touchdown of the 2020 NFL season. They extended their lead with a field goal on the following drive and were seemingly in control until Goff threw an interception that almost gave the Patriots their first points of the game.
Fortunately, the defense wasted no time in giving their response and keeping the momentum in L.A.’s favor. Linebacker Kenny Young returned an interception 79 yards for a touchdown to record the longest pick-six of the 2020 campaign so far.
The offense did manage to put the nail in the coffin with a grueling 16-play, 90-yard drive that was highlighted by two fourth-down conversions and ended with Goff finding wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the end zone.
As good as the offense looked, L.A. provided a stark reminder of why they boast arguably the best defense in the league after limiting New England to just three points in the first half. It wound up being the only points they would score all evening.
The pass rush managed to bring quarterback Cam Newton six times while limiting the offense to just 64 yards in the second half. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald managed to reclaim his status as the NFL’s sack leader with 1.5 sacks to give him 12.5 on the year.
The Rams remain in control of the NFC West heading into their favorable matchup versus the winless New York Jets in Week 15.
