Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
With 1:45 left in regulation, the Rams offense took the field and were down by six points against the Las Vegas Raiders. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had only been with the Rams for two days and mainly relied on his instincts to play.
Despite almost making a turnover and being sacked for a nine-yard loss, Mayfield advanced the offense through passes. With 10 seconds left, he sent a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Van Jefferson to tie the game and an extra point secured the Rams’ 17-16 victory over the Raiders.
Rams head coach Sean McVay gives praise to QB Baker Mayfield and the offense during the post game press conference. (I don’t own the rights to this music) pic.twitter.com/Olam0gFGrA
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) December 9, 2022
“I can’t say enough about how impressed I am with just the command, the comfort, even the operation,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said about Mayfield. “What a quick study, he just got here five minutes ago and figured out a way to do some special things tonight.”
The Rams scored 14 points in the fourth quarter with Mayfield racking up 141 passing yards in that quarter alone.
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“What he did in this short week, to come in, get claimed off waivers, come and learn the offense, learn the game plan,” said wideout Ben Skowronek. “Whatever happens from here on out, I got nothing but respect for Baker Mayfield.”
Coming into the fourth, the Rams were down 3-13 against the Raiders. Their first touchdown-scoring drive lasted for nine regulated minutes. The Rams struggled on the ground throughout the night, however, running back Cam Akers scored a one-yard touchdown run.
On his first play as a Ram, QB Baker Mayfield makes a 21-yard pass to WR Van Jefferson
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) December 9, 2022
“It’s definitely fulfilling to go out and get a win after not having been able to do that the past couple of weeks,” Akers said. “Just to get that W, get over that hump. Now it’s time to try to stack them on top of each other.”
Mayfield made 230 passing yards from 22 throws, besting Raiders quarterback Derek Carr’s 137. Akers contributed 42 rushing yards and Skowronek had 89 reception yards.
The Raiders took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, exposing the Rams’ defensive gaps with shifty rushing plays and Carr’s accurate passes. Mayfield took to the field on the Rams’ second possession with 2:17 left in the first quarter. On his first snap, he sent a 21-yard pass to Jefferson; the play was a catalyst for the Rams to score a field goal.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a one-handed catch as Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Mayfield found success in deep passes. The Rams were in the Raiders’ redzone when Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones forced Akers to fumble, allowing Las Vegas to regain possession.
The Rams’ defense got their revenge when Carr targeted Mack Hollins in their endzone and linebacker Earnest Jones picked him off. McVay noted that it was “a huge play.”
“To be able to prevent them from getting any points right there especially when points were at a premium tonight was a big-time play by Ernest Jones,” he said.
Late in the third quarter, Mayfield sent an incomplete 46-yard pass to Atwell, but they gained the yardage due to a pass interference penalty. Mayfield could not get the Rams’ past the Raider’s 30-yard line and a personal foul penalty forced kicker Matt Gay to attempt a 61-yard field goal. The Rams were unable to score.
The victory came in the face of injuries to several key players, including defensive tackle Aaron Donald and enduring the deafening noise of rowdy Raiders fans.
“I had a feeling that we were gonna be on our silent count, particularly when we were in the shotgun,” McVay said. “The Raiders travel well and there’s a lot of fans in this area.”
The Rams have four games left this season, the next one being an away game against the Green Bay Packers on December 19 at 5:15P.M.
