Football is a game of inches, and the Los Angeles Rams’ 27-20 comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts proves that.
Right out of the gate, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones attempted a deep ball meant for Adonai Mitchell, but safety Kam Curl picked it off to generate some early momentum for a Rams defense that struggled last week against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Indianapolis quickly responded. After stopping the Rams on fourth down at the 50-yard line, they marched down the field, got to the goal line, and Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren used his sheer size to score his first career rushing touchdown to make the score 10-3.
To end the second quarter, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford — who finished the game with 375 passing yards and three passing touchdowns — led a 96-yard, two-minute drive that was capped off by wide receiver Davante Adams hauling in his third touchdown in three games.
Jones eventually connected with Mitchell on a deep ball to start the third quarter, as he spun around both Curl and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. to run down the sideline for a 76-yard touchdown. However, as he reached the goal line, he bobbled the ball and it bounced to the back of the end zone, squandering an opportunity to take an early second-half lead.
Despite Mitchell’s blunder, Indianapolis did not give up. After the Colts forced a punt, Jones led them down the field for a 90-yard touchdown drive and a 17-13 lead.
With momentum heading in the other direction, the Rams didn’t make the situation any easier on themselves.
Running back Kyren Williams fumbled the ball on the first play of the next drive after Stafford botched the handoff, giving Indianapolis the ball at the Rams’ 27-yard line. However, the Rams’ defense was able to hold the Colts to just a field goal.
With their backs against the wall, Stafford leaned heavily on wide receiver Puka Nacua, who had his best game of the season with 13 catches for 170 yards. On a fourth-down play in the red zone, Nacua ran a slant route, made the connection with his quarterback, and pushed through two defenders to tie the game at 20-20.
The Colts got the ball back, and Colts running back Jonathan Taylor proceeded to chug down the turf for a 53-yard touchdown. But, Mitchell made another mistake and held Rams cornerback Darious Williams, a costly penalty that gave LA a chance to take the lead.
On the Rams’ next drive, Stafford connected with Tutu Atwell, who ran down the sideline for an 88-yard touchdown and gave the Rams a 27-20 lead with less than two minutes to play. The game-winning pass was Stafford’s longest touchdown pass of his 17-year career.
Curl intercepted Jones for a second time when he threw up a prayer on the next possession, sealing the game for LA.
With the win, Los Angeles improves to 3-1, and they now have a short week ahead as they prepare to face division rival San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.