As a Rams fan, I was slightly confused by the decision to bring Baker Mayfield to LA. I mean, our season was pretty much dead at 3-9, why not let John Wolford and Bryce Perkins see out this year with Stafford on the bench...?
Well, I think I just got my answer.
Baker Mayfield cleared a 13-point deficit in just over 3 minutes and topped off his debut performance with a game-winning touchdown with just 9 seconds left on the clock. Mayfield found Van Jefferson for a 23-yard touchdown pass to set up the Rams first lead of the game with the extra point.
Minutes earlier, Cam Akers found the end zone on a 1-yard rush after converting a 4th down attempt - pulling the Rams within 6 points with 3:19 to play.
LA’s nine-minute drive ends in a Cam Akers TD! Rams cut the deficit to 6 with 3:19 to go.#LVvsLAR on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2022
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/m65o43ZLpv pic.twitter.com/BiEltB8xRq
LA's defense then showed up on Derrick Carr's ensuing drive as they got a third-down stop with 2 minutes remaining, forcing the Raiders to punt. All seemed well, until the punt rolled down the sideline and eventually stopped at the 2-yard line -pinning Mayfield deep with 1:45 remaining and no timeouts left.
98 yards stood between Mayfield and victory and somehow, he made it happen...
Helped along by a 32-yard catch by wide receiver Ben Skowronek and a flurry of penalties by the Raiders, Mayfield eventually found Jefferson for this 23-yard touchdown pass.
Down six with 1:41 to go backed up your own two-yard line? @bakermayfield was feeling dangerous. 😤 pic.twitter.com/gDuUL1QsZH
— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2022
In an extremely forgettable season, at least there's one memorable moment...
This 98-yard game-winning drive marks a bright spot in Mayfield's troublesome career and strangely mimics the vintage Primetime victory delivered by Tom Brady last week. Both games saw a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback to take a 16-3 deficit to a 17-16 win...
back-to-back prime time games pic.twitter.com/uCBex1UmlF
— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2022
Mayfield arrived in Los Angeles just a few days before his Thursday Night Football appearance, where he took the offensive reins and completed 22 of 35 pass attempts for 230 yards.
This may have been a good game for Mayfield, and sure, he'll get some snaps in LA before Stafford returns, but the Rams season is pretty much dead in the water. Fingers crossed he continues to find success and gets traded to a team that needs him for the long run.
While Baker was putting together his Brady-style comeback, the Raiders offense had a rollercoaster day.
After finding 16 points from their first three consecutive drives, Carr only managed to lead his offense to 3-points for the rest of the game.
Josh Jacobs had his first game with less than 100 rushing yards in his last four appearances (though he did hit 99 yards and a touchdown).
The biggest issue for Josh McDaniels was the lack of a passing game.
Derrick Carr only managed 137 yards through the air and topped it all off with 2 interceptions - including one on 3rd and goal to bring a solid drive to a disappointing end.
Ernest Jones picks it off in the end zone! @RamsNFL take over.#LVvsLAR on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2022
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/m65o43ZLpv pic.twitter.com/6ptx9M8plE
His favourite wide-receiver Davante Adams still logged the most receiving yards (71) but Adams only caught 3 of 7 targets on the night.
With the spectacular grabs he was making, it's likely that he'd have reached the end zone if Carr was more accurate.
.@tae15adams’ 1st catch of the night is an epic one-hander 👋#LVvsLAR on Prime Video
— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2022
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/m65o43ZLpv pic.twitter.com/3cTZu6oZZa
So, a rocky performance takes the Las Vegas Raiders to 5-8, while the Rams' rather lousy 2022 NFL season may leave us with one bright spot. Mayfield may just be filling a gap while Stafford is benched, but perhaps he'll find his feet and rejuvenate his dwindling career.
