Rams can’t keep momentum going as Steelers rally behind two second-half touchdowns
It’s been a while since the Rams felt any semblance of momentum.
They have not won two games in a row since early in the 2022 season, making it a seemingly impossible feat for a franchise that won Super Bowl LVI two years ago.
On Sunday, the Rams wasted another opportunity to win consecutive games, falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-17, before 73,471 at SoFi Stadium.
Receiver Puka Nacua had a big day, but the Rams fell to 3-4 because they could not overcome a costly Matthew Stafford interception and the struggles of kicker Brett Maher, who missed two field-goal attempts and an extra-point attempt.
Rams lose to Steelers after controversial fourth-down play
🏈 Steelers 24, Rams 17 — FINAL
The Steelers converted on fourth-and-one on a Kenny Pickett quarterback sneak at the two-minute warning on a play that initially appeared to be just short of converting, securing the win for Pittsburgh.
Since he had no timeouts and the game was inside the two-minute warning, Rams coach Sean McVay could not challenge the play.
After a third consecutive Rams possession ended with a punt, the Steelers took over at their 14-yard line and pieced together a 10-play, 43-yard drive that forced the Rams to burn their timeouts.
After Allen Robinson caught a seven-yard pass, the Steelers were facing fourth-and-one from the Rams’ 39 before Pickett’s one-yard run.
Pickett completed 17 of 25 passes for 230 yards and was sacked twice. Steelers wide receiver George Pickens caught five passes for 107 yards.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 14 of 29 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown. Royce Freeman led all Rams running backs with 66 yards in 12 carries and Darrell Henderson had 61 yards in 18 carries in his return.
Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua caught eight passes for 154 yards. Cooper Kupp had just two catches for 29 yards.
Najee Harris touchdown gives Steelers lead late in fourth quarter
🏈 Steelers 24, Rams 17 — 7:20 left in the fourth quarter
Running back Najee Harris scored on a three-yard run up the middle to push the Steelers into the lead with time running out in regulation — the fourth lead change of the game.
The 10-play, 80-yard drive included catches of 18 and 21 yards by George Pickens and an 11-yard catch-and-run by Connor Heyward to set up the touchdown.
Steelers tie game on Jaylen Warren TD run
🏈 Steelers 17, Rams 17 — 13:49 left in the fourth quarter
Steelers running back Jaylen Warren scored on a 13-yard run to help make it a tied game following a five-play, 59-yard drive.
Kenny Pickett’s 39-yard pass to wide receiver Diontae Johnson provided the bulk of the yards on the drive.
Brett Maher misses another field-goal attempt for Rams
🏈 Rams 17, Steelers 10 — 41 seconds left in the third quarter
Rams kicker Brett Maher missed a 51-yard field-goal attempt after an 11-play, 38-yard drive ran out of steam.
Maher missed a 53-yard field-goal attempt and an extra-point attempt in the first half.
Rams retake lead on Darrell Henderson touchdown carry
🏈 Rams 17, Steelers 10 — 8:57 left in the third quarter
Darrell Henderson scored on a one-yard carry up the middle before the Matthew Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp on the two-point conversion attempt as the Rams once again seized the lead.
The nine-play, 75-yard drive included a couple of spectacular catches by rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua for 32 and 20 yards.
Matthew Stafford picked off by T.J. Watt and Steelers take lead
🏈 Steelers 10, Rams 9 — 13:19 left in the third quarter
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford opened the second half by throwing an interception, and the Steelers capitalized with a touchdown three plays later.
Stafford was picked off by Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt while trying to target Cooper Kupp. Watt returned the pick 24 yards to the Rams’ seven-yard line and Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett scored on a one-yard keeper.
Rams take lead just before halftime on Tutu Atwell touchdown
🏈 Rams 9, Steelers 3 — HALFTIME
Matthew Stafford connected with Tutu Atwell for a 31-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds left in the first half, but Brett Maher missed the extra-point attempt to leave the Rams with a six-point lead.
Receiver Puka Nacua keyed the drive with a 36-yard gain on a catch-and-run play.
Running back Darrell Henderson carried the ball five times for 21 yards during the eight-play, 88-yard drive.
Stafford has compeleted nine of 16 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown.
Nacua has five catches for 94 yards, Cooper Kupp two for 29 yards, with two drops.
Henderson, starting in place of injured Kyren Williams, has rushed for 42 yards in nine carries.
Outside linebacker Michael Hoecht has two sacks for 16 yards.
Brett Maher field goal ties game in second quarter
🏈 Rams 3, Steelers 3 — 5:56 left in the second quarter
Brett Maher bounced back from a miss and kicked a 41-yard field goal to tie the score.
Matthew Stafford’s 22-yard pass to receiver Puka Nacua was the key play in the eight-play, 36-yard drive.
Stafford has completed seven of 13 passes for 92 yards. Nacua has four catches for 58 yards.
Royce Freeman has rushed for 37 yards in seven carries.
Steelers take lead on Chris Boswell field goal
🏈 Steelers 3, Rams 0 — 14:51 left in the second quarter
Chris Boswell stayed perfect this season, kicking a 53-yard field goal to give the Steelers the lead.
Boswell has made all 11 of his field-goal attempts.
Kenny Pickett’s 12-yard pass to tight end Connor Heyward set up the field goal.
Pickett has completed five of eight passes for 58 yards.
Brett Maher hits left upright on missed field-goal attempt
🏈 Rams 0, Steelers 0 — 3:35 left in the first quarter
Brett Maher’s 53-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright and bounced away, foiling the Rams’ chance to take the lead.
The Rams started a drive at their six-yard line and moved down the field on Royce Freeman’s running and a 30-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua.
But the drive stalled when Steelers’ safety Minkah Fitzpatrick tackled Freeman for a loss, bringing on Maher.
Who’s going to start for Rams at running back and corner? Here are the choices...
The Rams will have a new starter on offense and could have one on defense Sunday when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers at SoFi Stadium.
Rookie Zach Evans, Royce Freeman, Darrell Henderson or Myles Gaskin will start at running back in place of injured Kyren Williams.
And it remains to be seen whether the Rams will play cornerback Derion Kendrick, who faces two misdemeanor gun charges. Kendrick was held out of practice Wednesday — his arraignment was continued until Dec. 5 — and coach Sean McVay said Kendrick’s situation would be evaluated as his legal situation unfolds.
Inactives for Rams vs. Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday
Here’s who won’t be suiting up for the Rams on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers at SoFi Stadium:
And here’s who won’t be playing for the Steelers:
Rams will raise season-ticket prices in 2024
In the last three years, the Rams won a Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium, experienced the worst Super Bowl hangover in NFL history and have begun this season with a 3-3 record.
Throughout that period, Rams season-ticket prices remained the same.
On Tuesday, the Rams sent correspondence to season-ticket holders informing them that prices would increase for the 2024 season.
It is the first increase since prices for the 2021 season were announced in 2018, the team said.
Rams’ Derion Kendrick listed as questionable but expects to play against Steelers
Rams cornerback Derion Kendrick, who faces two misdemeanor gun charges, practiced Friday and could play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach Sean McVay said Friday.
Kendrick, 23, was arrested Monday in Hollywood on suspicion of a felony gun charge. The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office charged Kendrick with one misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed firearm and another misdemeanor count for carrying a loaded firearm.
His arraignment Wednesday was continued to Dec. 5.
Rams vs. Steelers matchups: How to watch, start time and prediction
Breaking down how the Rams (3-3) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) match up heading into their game Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at SoFi Stadium. The game will be shown on Fox.
When Rams have the ball
Quarterback Matthew Stafford and receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will continue to be the dominant force for an offense now dealing with a muddled running back situation.
Kyren Williams (ankle, injured reserve) and Ronnie Rivers (knee, injured reserve) are out because of injuries, so coach Sean McVay could mix and match recently added Darrell Henderson and Myles Gaskin, rookie Zach Evans and Royce Freeman.
Henderson, who signed this week, has the most experience in the system but whether or not he is in game shape remains to be seen.
