Every game is crucial for the Los Angeles Rams down the stretch of the regular season. Los Angeles kept its postseason hopes alive after beating the New England Patriots 28-22 on Sunday.
The Patriots struck first as the LA defense surrendered a touchdown on the third drive of the game. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye connected with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne for a nine-yard score to give New England a 7-0 lead with 5:05 remaining in the first quarter.
The Rams’ offense could not respond on the following drive as they were forced to punt and were held scoreless in the first quarter. However, on its next offensive possession, Los Angeles found its rhythm after Matthew Stafford connected with wide receiver Cooper Kupp on a five-yard touchdown to tie the game at seven.
Forced turnovers have greatly contributed to the Rams’ turnaround after their Week 6 bye. LA would force its first of the game on New England’s next drive. Defensive tackle Braden Fiske sacked Maye and forced a fumble. Los Angeles’ Kobie Turner recovered the ball at New England’s 12-yard line.
The Rams’ offense made good on the turnover and scored on the first play of the next drive after Stafford completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Puka Nacua. The touchdown reception was Nacua’s first of the season in his fourth game back from injury.
With a 14-7 lead, the Rams’ defense was unable to hold the Patriots scoreless on their next drive. The Patriots cut the deficit to four after Joey Slye made a 32-yard field goal. On their next offensive drive, the Rams had one of their only mishaps of the game after rookie kicker Joshua Karty missed a 26-yard field goal attempt during the final seconds of the first half.
Los Angeles began the second half with the ball and the lead, looking to put New England away. On the opening drive of the second half, the Rams struck quickly as Stafford found Kupp over the middle for a 69-yard touchdown. The touchdown gave Kupp his first multi-receiving touchdown game since 2022 and gave the Rams a 21-10 lead.
The Patriots responded to the score with another field goal from Slye to make it a one-possession game.
Despite New England’s best efforts, the Patriots had no answers for Stafford and the Rams’ offense. On the following drive, Stafford threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson to make it 28-13 with 3:30 left in the third.
New England was still able to keep the game close, however, as it scored a touchdown on its next drive. Maye completed a touchdown pass to rookie offensive lineman Vederian Lowe from four yards out. Los Angeles was able to block Slye’s extra-point attempt, keeping their lead at nine.
After the Rams had to punt on their next drive, the LA defense was pressured to keep the Patriots from making it a one-score game. But the unit failed to do so as New England converted a 42-yard field goal try to make the score 28-22 with 4:54 remaining in the game.
Los Angeles was once again forced to punt, which gave New England a chance to attempt a game-winning drive. The Rams’ defense, however, stood tall and forced its second turnover of the day as safety Kamren Kinchens intercepted Maye with 1:47 remaining to secure the victory. The interception was Kinchen’s third of the season.
Now sitting at 5-5, Los Angeles is in second place in the NFC West with seven games remaining in the regular season. The Rams’ bounce back on the offensive side of the ball was critical in the win. Against the Patriots, LA had one of its best offensive showings of the season with 402 yards of total offense and zero turnovers.
Stafford’s outing was his second four-touchdown outing of the year. Stafford also got both Kupp and Nacua heavily involved in the offense as both receivers had over 100 yards and each caught a touchdown.
The Rams will need to win as many games as possible down the stretch to have a chance at the postseason and they are faced with a tough task next week. Los Angeles will play the 8-2 Philadelphia Eagles at home on Sunday Night Football.