The Los Angeles Rams extended their winning streak to three games with a comeback 26-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks in overtime. One of the standouts of the game was rookie defensive back Kamren Kinchens, who recorded the first two interceptions of his career.
The first interception came at the start of the fourth quarter, when Kinchens picked off Geno Smith in the end zone and returned it 103 yards for a touchdown that put the Rams back on top. It marked the longest interception returned for a touchdown in franchise history.
Two drives later, Kinchens picked off Smith again as the Seahawks were threatening to score. It helped the Rams preserve their 20-13 lead, although Seattle would go on to tie the game late and force overtime.
When discussing the first interception, Kinchens said he decided to run it back when he saw a clear path to scoring, via Wyatt Miller of TheRams.com:
“Soon as I caught it, I didn’t see nobody in front of me. It was time to run. I just blanked out and just went to run it,” Kinchens said. “… We made a point of emphasis in the meeting on Friday about (not) dropping the ball before you get to the end zone, so I wasn’t sure where I was in the end zone… So I dropped the ball, I made sure to run to it and pick it up before I did anything else.”
Kinchens hasn’t played much this season but credited some of the Rams defensive coaches for preparing him for his first real opportunity:
“Big shout out to (safeties) coach (Chris) Beake and (defensive pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant). They told me not to be down on it,” Kinchens said. “(They said), ‘You know, you’re a rookie. It’s gonna come ups and downs and just get back in the playbook.’ There was nothing they said I did wrong for real, just kind of mental plays, you know, just something some rookies have, but just stay grinding, you know. And we just met extra, just met more. So when my opportunity did come, I was able to shine,” Kinchens said.
Kinchens received more snaps against the Seahawks when cornerback Josh Wallace exited the game in the second quarter with an injury. Although Wallace would eventually return, the Rams rode the hot hand with Kinchens for the rest of the game.
Kamren Kinchens’ stats with Rams
The Rams selected Kamren Kinchens out of the University of Miami in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. In eight games this season, he has recorded 17 tackles, two passes defended and one fumble recovery.
