Rams’ secondary takes primary role as turnovers are impetus to beat Raiders
Before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Rams safety Jaylen McCollough said he enjoyed an exchange with injured star receiver Cooper Kupp.
“You got another one for me?” Kupp asked McCullough, who had intercepted a pass against the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago.
“Nah, bro,” McCollough replied, “I got two.”
McCollough was true to his word.
The undrafted rookie intercepted two passes, and cornerback Cobie Durant intercepted a pass and forced a fumble that safety Kamren Curl returned for a touchdown as the Rams defeated the Raiders, 20-15, before 73,267 at SoFi Stadium.
Afterward, McCollough reflected on his comment to Kupp.
“It was crazy,” he said, “because like I ended up with two.”
McCollough and the defensive backfield’s performance helped the Rams improve to 2-4.
It was banner day for a defense and a much-maligned secondary that has stepped up the last two games.
“I think we’re starting to find our identity,” coach Sean McVay said of the defense, “putting guys in the right spots and being able to take advantage of their skillsets.”
Check out the game summary from the Rams’ win Sunday.
To be clear: Despite the defensive backfield’s performance, Sunday’s victory was not pretty.
“It was a grimy, gritty one,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said.
But the Rams learned last season that when it comes to starting a turnaround of a season, style points — let alone “Showtime” — is not required.
On Sunday, the defensive highlights sufficed against the struggling Raiders, a team with future Hall of Famer Tom Brady now on the ownership roster but, unfortunately for coach Antonio Pierce, not playing quarterback.
The victory helped McVay’s team avert a near disaster.
Consider: Only four teams in NFL history overcame 1-5 starts to make the playoffs.
Now the Rams have a modicum of momentum with the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) coming to SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.
“An unbelievable challenge,” McVay said.
The Rams were playing Sunday for the first time since Oct. 6, when they suffered a 24-19 defeat to the Packers.
The loss dropped the Rams’ record to 1-4 going into an off week, and players and coaches seemed confident that they could fashion a turnaround similar to last season, when the Rams were 3-6 at the break and went on to finish 10-7 and make the playoffs.
That turnaround began when the Rams came back to defeat the Seattle Seahawks, 17-16, a victory that was not assured until the Seahawks missed a long field-goal attempt.
Behind the glory of being an NFL coach is the considerable trade-off that comes with the stress of the job, an issue that can lead to damaging health.
So Stafford was not complaining about outlasting the Raiders.
“We’re in no position to be choosy when it comes to wins right now,” said Stafford, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 154 yards, with an interception. “So we’ll take ‘em anyway we can get ‘em.”
Is it the start of a turnaround?
“Too early to tell,” Stafford said.
Still, it bodes well for the Rams and first-year defensive coordinator Chris Shula if the secondary continues to make plays.
“We’re all growing,” McCollough said, “and we’re growing together.”
McCollough, Durant, Curl and safety Quentin Lake said the Rams spent the off week focused on attacking the ball, be it punching it out of an offensive player’s hands or grabbing it off the ground or from the air.
With the Rams trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, Durant intercepted a pass by Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew.
It was Durant’s first interception since his rookie season in 2022, and it set up the first of Kyren Williams’ two touchdown runs.
“It was just like finally,” Durant said of the interception. “A relief.”
On the ensuing series, Durant’s hit on Minshew forced a fumble. Curl picked up the football and ran 33 yards for a touchdown.
“I didn’t really play baseball,” Curl said, “but I tried to get a little clean scoop and it worked.”
McCollough’s third-quarter interception set up another short touchdown run for a 20-6 lead. The Raiders pulled to within five points and had the ball with 1:39 left, but McCollough intercepted another pass to seal the victory.
McCollough now has three interceptions, including the one he returned for a touchdown against the Packers.
The Browns’ Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles, the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels left with a rib injury, Aidan O’Connell’s hand injury helped Rams beat Raiders.
“I might have to take him to the casino one time and hit a lottery,” Lake said, “because he’s just in the right spot every time he’s in there.”
Said Durant: “He’s livin’ right, man.”
If the Rams are to build on Sunday’s victory, an offense that gained only 258 yards and converted two of 10 third downs must be more productive.
“We have to do a better job,” McVay said, “and I’m not going to make any excuses about that.”
For a day at least, the Rams could enjoy a victory.
And perhaps the start of something more.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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