In a gritty battle between the Los Angeles Rams and the Las Vegas Raiders, it was the Rams’ defense that ultimately secured the victory, despite some offensive struggles. The Rams managed to eke out a 20-15 win, improving their record to 2-4 for the season.
The game took a dramatic turn early on when Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was forced to exit the game due to a suspected broken thumb. Gardner Minshew stepped in as his replacement, but his turnover issues plagued the team. Cornerback Cobie Durant intercepted Minshew in the second quarter, leading to a Kyren Williams touchdown. Durant then strip-sacked Minshew, allowing safety Kam Curl to return the fumble for another Rams touchdown, putting them ahead 14-3.
Daniel Carlson managed to kick a field goal as time expired in the first half, narrowing the score to 14-6. However, Minshew’s struggles continued, resulting in another interception that led to a Williams touchdown, extending the Rams’ lead to 20-6.
Carlson added two more field goals in the second half, bringing the score to 20-12, capitalizing on a Matthew Stafford interception. The Rams had a chance to extend their lead with a 35-yard field goal, but Karty missed it, keeping the game within reach for the Raiders.
With 2:50 left in the game, the Raiders had a chance to tie on a fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line, but a costly false start penalty pushed them back. Head coach Antonio Pierce settled for a field goal, making the score 20-15 with 2:46 remaining.
Carlson’s reliable foot made it a one-possession game, and the Raiders still had a chance to come back with three timeouts in their pocket. Despite their efforts, the Rams’ defense held strong and secured the hard-fought victory.
