The Los Angeles Rams had their backs against the wall entering Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, having lost two games in a row and several starters to injury. They called upon a lot of backups to play more snaps, and they delivered.
The Rams won, 35-21, holding on after jumping out to a 28-6 lead in the first half. Puka Nacua battled through a calf injury, Colby Parkinson went in and out of the game as he fought through multiple injuries, and the ground game was dominant with 199 yards rushing.
It was a much-needed bounce-back performance by the Rams, executing on both offense and defense en route to their 14-point win. Here are some of the studs and duds from Sunday's victory.
Stud: Puka Nacua
Nacua was questionable to play in this one due to a calf
injury, but he gutted it out and had another strong performance. He caught eight passes for 68 yards and a touchdown, consistently moving the chains for Los Angeles. He even had two "rushes" for 10 yards, which were both backward passes that should've added to his receiving total.
Stud: Blake Corum
Corum had a 2-yard touchdown called back by a holding penalty and a 43-yarder erased by another foul, but he wasn't going to be denied a touchdown. He finally got into the end zone in the fourth quarter, essentially putting the game away. He finished with 17 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown, as well as one catch for 8 yards.
Stud: Kyren Williams
Williams closed out the game on the final drive, rushing for 23 yards on his final five carries to put it away. He finished with 16 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown, though he did have one fumble. He also caught two passes for 22 yards in the win. It was a near-even split between Kyren and Corum in this one, and it worked to perfection.
Stud: Matthew Stafford
Stafford didn't throw for a ton of yards, but he was highly efficient with the throws that he did make. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns, throwing one interception that bounced off Colby Parkinson's hand. His longest completion was only 15 yards, so he didn't take many shots down the field, but he took what the defense gave him and executed without Davante Adams in the lineup.
Stud: Omar Speights
Speights played aggressively in a game where Nate Landman wasn't available, attacking downhill and wrapping up ball carriers throughout the day. He made two tackles for a loss in the win, helping shut down Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington, who combined for only 42 yards on 14 carries.
Stud: Jaylen Watson
Watson was outstanding in this one with Trent McDuffie out. He was the Rams' top cornerback and played like it, making three tackles and breaking up four passes. He left briefly due to cramping but returned and immediately made a play on a screen pass. He's been great all year but he was particularly good on Sunday.
Dud: Special teams
Special teams strikes again. The Rams allowed two long kickoff returns and also let the Raiders convert a fourth-and-5 fake punt that gained 13 yards. The good news is new kicker Brandon McManus made all five of his PATs and didn't attempt a field goal.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Studs and duds from Rams' 14-point win vs. Raiders
