The Los Angeles Rams looked to be well on their way to a seventh straight loss on Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders. But against all odds, new quarterback Baker Mayfield made his mark on his new team.
Mayfield led the Rams on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, including a 23-yard throw touchdown throw to Van Jefferson as L.A. came back to defeat the Raiders 17-16 and snap their six-game losing streak. The 8-play, 98-yard drive to win the game was the longest in the final two minutes in the last 45 years.
The entire scenario seemed impossible just days ago as Mayfield was released by the Carolina Panthers on Monday and claimed by the Rams Tuesday. He had just a short practice with the team on Wednesday before suiting up last night and going 22-of-35 for 235 yards and that game-winning touchdown throw.
Things seemed all but done after Daniel Carlson’s field goal gave the Raiders a 16-3 lead early in the fourth, but that is when the magic began and the Raiders made sure to contribute to it themselves as well. Mayfield led the Rams on a 17 play, 75-yard touchdown drive that only continued on thanks to an offsides penalty by the Raiders’ Clelin Ferrell on a punt no less. Ultimately, Cam Akers would punch in the touchdown to make it a one-score game.
The Rams would then force a 3-and-out, but punter A.J. Cole beautifully planted the kick down to the 2-yard line. Once again the Raiders seemed to have the game sealed after a Duron Harmon interception on the third play of the drive, but a pass interference on Amik Robertson removed that turnover.
A Jerry Tillery unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the next play ruined the effects of a Maxx Crosby sack, giving the Rams momentum which then continued thanks to Ben Skowronek’s ridiculous 32-yard catch. Skowronek finished with a career-high seven catches for 89 yards. But it was Jefferson who was the recipient of the final throw in the back corner of the end zone.
The Rams defense deserves a ton of credit in this victory as well as they held the Raiders offense to just 67 total yards in the second half. Star receiver Davante Adams had no receptions in the final two quarters while the league’s leading rusher Josh Jacobs was held to 99 yards on 3.7 yards per carry.
Next up for the Rams
Mayfield will get a little extra time to learn the playbook and get acquainted with his new teammates as the Rams don’t see the field again until next Monday night when they head to Green Bay to face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
