Week Two’s matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts was a storyline of the new-look offense in LA facing off against Indy’s brutish defensive line.
The Matthew Stafford-led Rams offense started off as fans hoped in the first quarter — going up 7-0 with a 16-yard strike to Cooper Kupp. Stafford had a modest day against a frail Colts secondary: throwing 278 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and one interception.
The Rams defense became a true hindrance in the red zone against Frank Reich’s offense throughout the first half. Leonard Floyd had a first-quarter sack on 4th and goal, and Troy Reeder intercepted a shovel pass at the goal line in the second that kept the Colts offense without a touchdown through two quarters.
Colts’ kicker, the always automatic Rodrigo Blankenship, closed out the half with a FG, and the Rams were up 10-6.
Cooper Kupp’s chemistry with Stafford showed on the field for a second consecutive weekend; accruing 163 yards on nine receptions. Kupp went over 100 yards on the day by the end of the third quarter’s first drive, which was capped with a score by Darrell Henderson. The Rams went up 17-6 out of the half.Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus had his fill of the McVay offense today. The Colts’ defense throughout the second half, watched Stafford eat chunks of passing yards and wrapping it up with some effective running from Henderson in the end zone.
Raheem Morris picked up where Brandon Staley left off, keeping Rams defensive linemen in constant pursuit of Carson Wentz, as the secondary benefitted with a pair of picks to end the game.
Things got chippy in the third quarter for the Rams.
The Colts began to put up some solid plays against the D in the second half, and the Rams’ fortune began to shift after linebacker Kenny Young accidentally grazed an official during a goal-line scuffle and was disqualified for the day.
Indianapolis led a scoring drive that ended with a TD to Zach Pascal and a 2-point conversion to Jack Doyle, inching Indy closer to LA’s lead, 17-14. Rams Twitter began to sense some sloppy play calling to start the fourth.
Early in the final quarter, Nick Scott lined up for a Rams punt within their own 10 and was hit by the football — bouncing into a swarm of Colts players in the end zone to secure the wayward football for a score. The Colts overtook the lead, 24-17.Just when flashbacks of St. Louis started to play, McVay and Stafford steered the ship back on course.
A 44-yard pass play and an eventual touchdown to Cooper Kupp revived the Rams early-game spark on offense. The Rams regained the lead and scored a FG in the next drive, going up 27-24.
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Henderson left the game early with a rib injury, which inserted Sony Michel into the game as the lead back.
The former Patriots running back proved to be an effective replacement: totaling 46 yards on 10 carries. Michel showed out in the fourth by helping the offense gain the first-down yardage and chew down the clock before the Colts’ final drive.
Carson Wentz was hurt on the penultimate drive after getting tackled on a 3rd and 5 by Aaron Donald. Seen struggling on the sideline, Wentz was unavailable for the Colts’ final drive of the game, which allowed Washington product, Jacob Eason, to step in and throw a game-sealing pick to Jalen Ramsey.
The Rams held on for the 3-point win — improving to 2-0 and now looking to protect their early win streak against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.
Los Angeles Rams Linebacker Kenny Young. Photo Credit: Brevin Townsell | LA Rams