If you were looking for the score of Rams game this past Sunday, you probably saw a number that looked a lot more comfortable than the actual game felt. Let’s be real. Watching the Los Angeles Rams right now is a bit of a cardiac event for most fans. They walked away with a 24-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, but if you just check the box score, you're missing the absolute chaos that happened at SoFi Stadium.
It was ugly.
Sometimes, a win is just a win, and in the NFL, nobody apologizes for how they get to 1-0 on the week. But for Sean McVay’s squad, this particular scoreline masks some massive, glaring issues that could haunt them as the schedule gets tougher. Matthew Stafford didn't throw a touchdown. Think about that for a second. In a game they won, the veteran quarterback—a guy usually good for 300 yards and a couple of scores—finished with 154 passing yards and an interception.
How do you win like that?
Defense. Specifically, a defense that decided to finally show up and carry the weight. Kyren Williams found the end zone twice, which is basically what he does for a living at this point, but the real story was a defensive unit that looked completely different than the one we saw earlier in the season.
The Numbers Behind the Score of Rams Game
The final tally was 24-19. That’s five points. It’s a one-possession game that felt like it could have swung the other way on about four different plays. If you look at the yardage, the Raiders actually outgained the Rams. Las Vegas put up 317 total yards compared to the Rams' 259.
That’s weird, right? Usually, the team with more yards wins.
But football is a game of mistakes, and the Raiders made plenty. Gardner Minshew had a rough outing, to put it mildly. He turned the ball over four times. Three interceptions and a fumble that Kamren Kinchens returned for a touchdown. That defensive score was the "X-factor." Without that scoop-and-score, we’re likely talking about a very different score of Rams game right now.
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Kyren Williams is the Engine
While the passing game was stuck in second gear, Kyren Williams remained the heartbeat of this offense. He’s not the biggest back. He’s certainly not the fastest. But the guy has a nose for the goal line that is honestly borderline telepathic. He finished with 76 yards on 21 carries.
That’s a 3.6 average. It’s not "elite" on paper.
However, in the red zone, he’s a hammer. His two rushing touchdowns provided the cushion the Rams needed. When you have Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua sidelined—or in Nacua's case, just starting the journey back from IR—you have to find points somewhere. Kyren is that "somewhere."
Why This Win Might Be a Mirage
We need to talk about the offensive line. It’s a mess. Stafford was under pressure for a significant portion of the game, and while the Raiders' pass rush is decent (shout out to Maxx Crosby, who is a literal human nightmare for offensive tackles), the Rams looked shaky.
If you’re tracking the score of Rams game as a metric for how good this team is, be careful.
- The Rams converted only 2 of 10 third downs.
- They averaged 4.4 yards per play.
- Stafford’s passer rating was a dismal 62.3.
Those aren't playoff numbers. Those are "we played a struggling Raiders team and got lucky" numbers. Honestly, the Rams are lucky they weren't playing the Lions or the 49ers this week, or that 24-19 would have been flipped—and then some.
The Defensive Turnaround
Let's give credit where it’s due. Cobie Durant was everywhere. He had an interception and forced a fumble. When Aaron Donald retired, everyone assumed this defense would collapse into a black hole. For a few weeks, it looked like it had. But against Vegas, they played with a desperation that was actually fun to watch.
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They were aggressive. They jumped routes. They hit hard.
Jaylen McCollough snagged two interceptions. For an undrafted rookie to be making those kinds of plays is huge for a secondary that has been criticized—rightfully so—for being too soft in zone coverage.
Looking at the Post-Game Fallout
The locker room vibe was relief. You could see it on McVay’s face during the press conference. He knew they escaped.
The score of Rams game keeps them alive in the NFC West, which is a total "crab bucket" right now. Nobody is running away with the division. The Seahawks are cooling off, the 49ers are banged up, and the Cardinals are... well, the Cardinals.
What does this mean for your betting slip or your fantasy team?
It means the Rams are a "wait and see" team. Until Nacua is fully integrated and the offensive line stops leaking like a sieve, this team's ceiling is limited. You can’t rely on a defensive touchdown every week. That’s just not sustainable football in the modern NFL.
What the Fans are Saying vs. Reality
If you browse the forums or X (formerly Twitter), Rams fans are divided. Half the fan base is celebrating the grit. "A win is a win!" they scream into the void. The other half is terrified. They see a 36-year-old quarterback taking hits he shouldn't be taking. They see a run game that is being asked to do too much.
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The reality is probably somewhere in the middle.
The Rams are currently a "bridge" team. They are bridging the gap between their injury-riddled start and the hopeful return of their superstars. If they can keep the score of Rams game in the win column for a few more weeks, they might just sneak into a Wild Card spot. But it's a tightrope walk. One more injury to a key lineman or a setback for Stafford’s arm, and the season is effectively over.
Key Takeaways from the Matchup
- Red Zone Efficiency: The Rams were 2-for-2 in the red zone. When they got close, they finished. This is why they won despite being outgained.
- Turnover Margin: You win the turnover battle +3, you win the game 95% of the time.
- Special Teams: It was quiet, which for the Rams, is actually good news. No missed chip shots, no muffed punts.
Future Outlook: Can They Keep It Up?
The schedule doesn't get easier. They have the Vikings coming up on a short week for Thursday Night Football. That is a massive test. Kevin O'Connell knows this Rams system inside and out. Sam Darnold is playing like a man possessed. If the Rams bring the same offensive performance they brought against the Raiders, the score of Rams game next week is going to be ugly for the folks in Los Angeles.
They need more from the passing game. Period.
Stafford needs to find a rhythm with Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington. Whittington has shown flashes of being a solid "big slot" guy, but the chemistry isn't quite there yet. It feels like they’re running a simplified version of the playbook because they don't trust the protection.
Actionable Steps for Rams Fans and Analysts
If you're following this team closely, don't just look at the final score. Here is how you should actually evaluate the next few weeks to see if this team is a contender or a pretender:
- Monitor the Sack Rate: If Stafford is taking more than 3 sacks a game, the offense will eventually stall out completely.
- Watch the Injury Report for Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila: The return of these two on the interior line is more important than any trade-deadline move they could make.
- Check the Third Down Percentage: 20% conversion rate is "basement tier." They need to get that closer to 40% to sustain drives and keep their defense off the field.
- Follow Defensive Snap Counts: See if the young guys like Jared Verse and Braden Fiske are getting more consistent pressure. Their "pressure-to-sack" ratio needs to improve.
The score of Rams game told us they have heart, but the tape told us they have a lot of work to do. They’re 3-4. They’re in the hunt. But the margin for error is basically zero.
For anyone looking to dive deeper into the stats, check the official NFL GameBook for the Raiders-Rams matchup. It breaks down the drive charts in a way that shows just how much the Rams struggled to move the chains in the second half. They essentially went into a shell and prayed the defense would hold. This time, it worked. Next time, against a quarterback like Brian Flores’ defense or a Sam Darnold-led offense, it probably won't.
Stay tuned to the injury wire. That’s where the Rams' season will truly be decided.