Matthew Stafford led Los Angeles with two late scoring drives, while Matt Gay scored a tiebreaking 38 yard field goal with 2 minutes to play Sunday. This gave the Rams a 27-24 win over Indianapolis.
Under coach Sean McVay, the Rams have won three consecutive series titles and have taken all five road openers.
Stafford was not as skilled as in the season-opening win over Chicago, but he played well, even though he appeared to have hit his right thumb against the helmet of DeForest Buckner, Colts defensive tackle. He didn’t miss a single play. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 278 yards, one touchdown pass and one interception.
Cooper Kupp caught nine passes to gain 163 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams (2-0).
The Colts are now 0-2 in Frank Reich’s four-year tenure. They face a three-game road trip to Tennessee, Miami, and Baltimore.
Indy fought back from a deficit of 17-6 to take the lead at 21-17. Rams long snapper Matt Orzech hit protector Nick Scott before punter Johnny Hekker. Ashton Dulin recovered the ball after it bounced in the end zone.
Stafford only had to play four plays to find Kupp to pass a 10-yard TD to make it 24-21.
With 7:22 remaining, Indy tied the game again with a 35-yard field kick. However, quarterback Carson Wentz was injured on the play just before the field goal. He did not return. Indy’s comeback plans were ruined when Jacob Eason was intercepted by the NFL on his second pass.
WELCOME BACK
With a standing ovation at halftime, the Indianapolis Colts welcomed back Peyton Manning (Hall of Fame) and Edgerrin Jim (Hall of Fame). Jim Irsay, the team owner, ordered watches for each player and presented them with their Hall of Fame rings.
Both were previously in Lucas Oil Stadium to receive their inductions into The Colts Ring of Honor.
Manning stated that Edgerrin has never had to endure a 3-13 season. “We were not very good until he got there. We can all admit it: things improved quickly once he arrived. It was a great run. It was a great time. It was a wonderful place to play, and the fans were a huge part of it.”
INJURY REPORT
Rams: Darrell Henderson, running back for the Rams, left the game with a rib injury in the fourth quarter. He didn’t return.
Colts: Right tackle BradenSmith (foot), cornerback Xavier Rhodes(calf), and receivers T.Y. Hilton (neck surgery), and Parris Campbell(abdomen), all inactive.
UP NEXT
Rams will host Super Bowl champion Tom Brady next Sunday.
Colts: visit defending AFC South champ Tennessee next Sunday.
