Trailing by 7 late in the fourth quarter, Matthew Stafford threw touchdown passes to Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell in a span one minute, and 53 seconds, and the Los Angeles Rams rallied to stun the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, 27-20, in an instant classic at SoFi Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Inglewood.
The ghosts of last week’s collapse still hovered in the Los Angeles air when the Rams stepped onto the field Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium. Seven days removed from blowing a 19-point second-half lead and watching a blocked field goal return sink them against the Eagles, Sean McVay’s team faced another undefeated giant in the Indianapolis Colts.
For much of the game, it felt like the Rams offense were stuck in the mud.
The Colts struck an early 10-3 lead behind their balanced attack and opportunistic defense. Los Angeles clawed back, riding Matthew Stafford’s precision as he found wide-receiver DeVante Adams for a 10-yard touchdown pass at the end of the first half.
Both teams looked lifeless out of the locker room and the Rams clung to their 13-10 lead as the game entered into the fourth quarter.
Daniel Jones found former USC Trojans’ receiver Michael Pittman in the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown pass that gave the Colts a 17-13 lead.
Then, on the ensuing Rams drive, Stafford and Williams misfired on a routine handoff. The ball tumbled to the turf deep in their own territory, where Indianapolis pounced on it. Three plays later, a short field goal gave the Colts a 20-13 lead.
The stadium groaned, a familiar fear spreading through the crowd — another heartbreak was unfolding.
But Puka Nacua had other plans.
On the ensuing drive, Stafford went back to his most reliable target. Facing a fourth down in the red zone, Stafford zipped a pass into tight coverage where Nacua, twisting mid-air, cradled the ball in the end zone. Nine yards, six points, and a roar that shook the building. The scoreboard read 20-20 with 3:20 left, and the Rams — left for dead minutes earlier — were alive again.
It was Nacua’s 13th catch of the day, a performance that reminded everyone why the young receiver has become the heartbeat of the Rams’ offense.
Thanks to a Jared Verse forced fumble, the Rams forced a punt on the ensuing Colts drive and changed the game with one play.
Stafford found TuTu Atwell on an 88-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the next drive and just like that, the Rams went from down seven, to up seven in a heartbeat. The touchdown pass was not only Stafford’s longest of the season, but it was his 103rd as a member of the Rams, putting him into sole possession of sixth place all-time in franchise history, ahead of former MVP and Super Bowl hero Kurt Warner.
Stafford finished with 375 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
Safety Kam Curl sealed the victory for the Rams seconds later when he intercepted Daniel Jones for the second time in the game.
For Indianapolis, the day was about survival. Their unbeaten start had been fueled by efficiency and discipline, and yet they found themselves tested in a way they hadn’t all season.
Jones threw for one touchdown and two interceptions. Jonathan Taylor had 76 yards on the ground.
Kyren Williams rushed for 77 total yards, but it was the Rams’ receiving corps that was the real heroes on the day.
Nacua had 170 yards and a score, Atwell had 88 yards on his one touchdown catch, and Adams finished with 56 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Up Next
The Rams will have a quick turnaround as they take the field again at SoFi Stadium in four days time in a Thursday night clash with the rival San Francisco 49ers.