The Los Angeles Rams just dropped a 35-21 hammer on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, looking exactly like the Super Bowl contender everyone expected them to be at the start of the season. They absolutely flew out of the gate, putting up a monster 28-6 lead by halftime, a lead so big it completely swallowed a couple of second-half turnovers. The Raiders never even sniffed a comeback, and the Rams stayed comfortably in control the whole way through.
Stafford’s Historic Day Resurrects Rams’ Season
This wasn’t just any win, folks. It snapped a two-game skid for the Rams, who were somehow limping at 2-4 after being hyped as Super Bowl favorites. Now they are 3-4, pulling even with a Raiders team that started 3-0 before losing four straight. The crazy part? The Rams did this despite missing some seriously key players on both sides of the ball. All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett has been out with a knee injury since Week 1. They also played without All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie (groin), former All-Pro receiver Davante Adams (hamstring), and their leading tackler Nathan Landman (concussion). But honestly, you barely noticed.
Matthew Stafford was channeling his 2025 MVP self, going 17-for-19 for 148 yards, three touchdowns, and zero turnovers before halftime. His third touchdown pass, a beautiful throw to Puka Nacua, wasn’t just a score; it was a franchise-record breaker. That pass was his 155th for the Rams, pushing him past Roman Gabriel for the most in franchise history. Just before the break, Kyren Williams tacked on another score with a 17-yard touchdown run, sending the Rams into the locker room with a commanding 22-point cushion.
Two Turnovers Could Not Stop The Onslaught
The second half wasn’t perfect. Kyren Williams fumbled and Stafford threw an interception, letting the Raiders chip away at the lead, bringing it to 28-18 in the fourth quarter. But that pick? Hardly Stafford’s fault. The ball was on target, bounced right off tight end Colby Parkinson’s hands, and straight into the waiting arms of linebacker Nakobe Dean. Still, it pushes Stafford’s interception count to seven in seven games, a stark contrast to his eight total picks across three of his previous four seasons.
When the Raiders tried to make it interesting, Blake Corum shut them down with another touchdown run, extending the lead to 35-18 and icing the game with 6:34 left on the clock. Stafford finished his day with 23 completions on 29 attempts for 195 yards, three touchdowns, and that single interception. On the ground, Corum rumbled for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Williams added 86 yards and a score, combining for 189 rushing yards at a ridiculous 5.7 yards per attempt. That’s some serious ground production.
Defense Holds Strong Despite Missing Stars
Even with all the injuries, the Rams’ defense stepped up big time, keeping the Raiders out of the end zone until the fourth quarter. Yeah, they allowed Las Vegas to tally 350 yards and didn’t force a turnover themselves, making it a bit of a mixed bag overall. But when you’re missing Garrett, McDuffie, and Landman, holding your opponent in check like that is hugely encouraging, especially after a rough 2-4 start.
This win was exactly what the Rams needed, a dominant performance that signals they might finally be finding their rhythm. They just showed everyone they can overcome serious injuries and still play like a top-tier team. Get ready, because if they keep this up, the rest of the league is going to have their hands full.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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