3621 W MacArthur Blvd Suite 107 Santa Ana, CA 92704
Toll Free – (844)-500-1351 Local – (714)-604-1416 Fax – (714)-907-1115

Rams review: Jalen Ramsey, defense force critical stops against Raiders

Rent Computer Hardware You Need, When You Need It

INGLEWOOD — Quarterback Baker Mayfield ended the Rams’ six-game losing streak when he engineered an improbable 17-16 comeback victory against the Las Vegas Raiders in his debut on Thursday night. Here’s what we learned, what we heard and what comes next after the Rams improved to 4-9 on the season:

RAMSEY SHADOWS ADAMS

Mayfield earned the spotlight for ending his whirlwind week with a fourth-quarter rally, but it was the Rams’ defense that kept them in the game to set the stage for the comeback.

The Raiders leaned on running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Davante Adams to produce their three-game winning streak and the star players had success in the first half against the Rams. But the Raiders’ surging offense only managed three points in the second half and had a costly three-and-out to set up the Rams’ game-winning, 98-yard drive in the final minutes.

Adams didn’t record a catch in the second half and only saw three targets. Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey said he requested to shadow the Raiders’ All-Pro receiver.

Ramsey often requests to cover the opposing teams’ No. 1 wide receiver, but he rarely gets his wish because of his many roles within the Rams’ defensive scheme. The team approved the request this week, but Ramsey had a rocky start against Adams, who had a sensational one-handed grab for 32 yards during the opening drive to help the Raiders take a 7-0 lead.

Adams also had a 35-yard reception against Ramsey in the second quarter, but that didn’t lead to points because quarterback Derek Carr threw an interception in the end zone to linebacker Ernest Jones.

“I wouldn’t say it was rocky,” Ramsey said of his matchup with Adams. “He had four targets on me and he had two of them. 50-50. Unfortunately, they were two deep passes, but one didn’t result in points and one resulted in points. It happens.”

Ramsey’s team got the win and he helped contain Adams in the second half, but he couldn’t help but praise Adams’ first catch Thursday night.

“Did you see his first (bleeping) catch? The one-handed grab,” Ramsey said. “That’s insane. And the second one, he just beat me off the line, so that was what it was. I had to make adjustments and scoot back a little bit.”

Four days ago, Ramsey allowed the game-winning touchdown to Seattle Seahawks star receiver DK Metcalf. He redeemed himself Thursday after stepping up to the challenge again.

“Who else is going to do it?” Ramsey said of covering the opposing top receiver. “I do that every single week. Whoever is the No. 1 receiver, I shadow every single week. It’s nothing new.”

WHY BAKER REPLACED WOLFORD

Rams coach Sean McVay said he had plans to insert Mayfield into the game after the second or third drive, but he first wanted to see the defensive grouping the Raiders had for quarterback John Wolford to open the game.

Wolford was pulled after a three-and-out on the opening drive and didn’t attempt a pass Thursday night. Mayfield entered the game with the Rams trailing 10-0 in the first quarter.

“They came out in a personnel grouping that we felt like might’ve been to kind of just dare us to try to be able to throw it,” McVay said. “We wanted to get Baker in, whether it was the second or the third series. (We) felt good about it. I put us in a really bad spot. That third-down play call was terrible, where (Las Vegas Raiders defensive end) Maxx Crosby ends up tackling Tutu (Atwell) for a loss. It wasn’t anything that John didn’t do. We wanted to be able to get Baker an opportunity to see if he could give us a spark. Certainly, he did that, being able to hit Van on his first throw.”

Related Articles

Los Angeles Rams |


Baker Mayfield rallies Rams past Raiders with late TD pass in debut

Los Angeles Rams |


Rams vs. Raiders: Live updates, Rams edge Raiders in thriller

Los Angeles Rams |


Las Vegas Raiders at Rams: Who has the edge?

Los Angeles Rams |


Rams rush to get QB Baker Mayfield ready for Raiders on Thursday

Los Angeles Rams |


Rams add QB Baker Mayfield from waiver wire

Mayfield said he received help from all of the Rams’ quarterbacks, including Wolford, injured starter Matthew Stafford and Bryce Perkins.

“It’s been pretty hectic,” Mayfield said. “It’s been a lot of emotions to be honest with you. A lot of things that … some tough decisions, but everything happens for a reason. I’m thankful. I just prayed about it and it worked out, you know? I just, right now, I just have a lot of emotions, but I’m really, really blessed. I’m really thankful right now, especially just the guys here that welcomed me in and helped me do the crash course here.”

UP NEXT

The Rams will take their momentum to Green Bay with 11 days of rest. They face the Packers for “Monday Night Football” on Dec. 19. It will probably be Mayfield’s first start with the Rams, an intriguing matchup with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“I think it’s really just taking things a day at a time,” McVay said of Mayfield. “But hopefully we’ll have a little bit more things that we can present to what we know is an excellent Green Bay (Packers) team. I don’t care what their record is. (We) know them too well, their personnel, their coaches and it’s going to be a great challenge going to Lambeau (Field) on Monday night.”

Generated by Feedzy