Rams Beat Raiders 35-21 Behind Williams and Corum

The Los Angeles Rams beat the Las Vegas Raiders 35-21 on Oct. 25 in Las Vegas, with the ground game driving their most convincing win of the season, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported in its Associated Press coverage.

Los Angeles rushed for a season-high 199 yards, while Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes and moved to the top of the franchise’s career touchdown-pass list. The result improved the Rams to 3-4.

Key Takeaways

• The Rams beat the Raiders 35-21 after building a 25-point lead in the first half.
• Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 192 rushing yards and each scored a touchdown.
• Stafford became the Rams’ franchise leader in touchdown passes and moved to second in completions.

Rams Rushing Attack Set the Pace Against Las Vegas

Williams ran for 99 yards and Corum added 93 as Los Angeles established a more balanced offensive approach. The Rams ran 38 times and attempted 29 passes, a marked shift from a season in which they had thrown on roughly 64% of their offensive snaps, the Associated Press reported.

Their 199 rushing yards exceeded the team’s combined total from its previous two games. Williams and Corum became the first Rams duo since 2001 to each reach at least 90 rushing yards and score a touchdown in the same game.

The running game helped Los Angeles sustain drives without depending on a big pass play to escape difficult down-and-distance situations. The Rams held possession, generated first downs and scored four touchdowns on their first five drives, opening a 25-point first-half advantage.

“That was the first game (where) we were really able to do some of the things that have been in alignment with when we’ve been able to operate at a pretty decent clip offensively,” Sean McVay said Monday, according to the Associated Press. He praised the backs’ involvement and the number of carries they handled.

Stafford and Three Tight Ends Added to the Rams Offense

Stafford finished with 195 passing yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half. The Rams’ official website reported that the performance made him the franchise’s career leader in touchdown passes and moved him to second in completions.

“It just means you’re old and you play a lot of ball,” Stafford said of the touchdown milestone, according to the team’s official account. He credited the teammates and coaches involved in scoring plays.

Los Angeles also leaned on three-tight-end formations, using all three tight ends on half of its offensive snaps. Davis Allen, Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee combined for 11 catches, 82 yards and two touchdowns, while contributing as blockers.

The added tight-end involvement gave Stafford options beyond the wide receiver group. The Associated Press reported that the Rams had one reception by a wide receiver other than Puka Nacua, as the offense adjusted to the available personnel.

Penalties and Special Teams Tempered the Rams Win

The offensive progress came alongside execution problems. Los Angeles committed seven penalties for 90 yards, and flags erased two of Corum’s rushing touchdowns, the Associated Press reported.

Special teams also gave the Raiders an opening, allowing a successful fake punt to convert a first down. The kickoff coverage unit surrendered returns of 42 and 36 yards, and a misplayed touchback cost the Rams 15 yards of field position.

“It was not good enough,” McVay said of the special teams, according to the Associated Press. Los Angeles’ defense, meanwhile, limited the Raiders to 128 yards in the first half and kept them out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.

Jaylen Watson broke up four passes while covering both receivers and tight ends, the Associated Press reported. The Rams were scheduled to face the Chargers next, according to the same coverage.