Three Raiders quarterbacks throw TDs in 28-24 win over Rams

Las Vegas, NV - The Raiders survived a chaotic afternoon at quarterback, losing Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins to injuries while getting touchdown passes from three different passers in a 28-24 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

The Raiders emerged from a matchup of 4-2 teams with an unusual distribution of quarterback production. Mendoza completed 9 of 14 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, Aidan O’Connell went 12 of 22 for 163 yards and a score, and Kirk Cousins completed his only attempt for a 6-yard touchdown. Together, the three passers accounted for 308 of Las Vegas' 402 offensive yards and four touchdown passes.

"Everybody in that room had to be ready to contribute," Mendoza said. "You want to be accurate, protect the football and make the most of every opportunity you get. Having multiple guys produce like that says a lot about the preparation."

O’Connell recorded the game's longest completion at 80 yards, while Dont’e Thornton Jr turned his only reception into an 80-yard touchdown. The play gave Thornton the game-high receiving total despite his limited volume. No other Las Vegas player approached that yardage total through the air, underscoring how much one reception stood out in a game otherwise defined by shared production.

"You never know how many chances are going to come your way," Thornton said. "My focus was making sure I did something with mine. Finishing with a touchdown and seeing us get the win is a good feeling."

Las Vegas also rushed for 94 yards. Mike Washington Jr. led the Raiders with 41 yards on eight carries, including a 16-yard run. The Raiders finished with 12 first downs and converted 6 of 16 third downs, but they produced touchdowns on both of their red-zone trips.

Los Angeles finished with more first downs and more rushing yards, yet left Las Vegas with the four-point loss. The Rams recorded 19 first downs, 117 rushing yards and 358 offensive yards. They converted 4 of 17 third downs and went 1-for-1 on fourth down. Inside the red zone, Los Angeles scored two touchdowns and kicked two field goals across four trips.

Bailey Zappe posted the game high with 197 passing yards, completing 17 of 37 attempts. Matthew Stafford added an efficient 7-for-10 performance for 44 yards and a touchdown. Stafford's longest completion covered 11 yards, while Zappe's longest went for 24.

The Rams received their strongest individual production from Blake Corum, who carried 13 times for a game-high 90 yards and a touchdown. His 25-yard run was also the longest rushing gain by either team. CJ Daniels led Los Angeles with 74 receiving yards on five catches, and Terrance Ferguson caught five passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.

"There were things we did well, but the third-down number is something we have to own," Zappe said. "We had enough production to give ourselves opportunities. We just didn't finish with the result we wanted."

Neither defense recorded an interception. Las Vegas registered three sacks, one more than Los Angeles, while both offenses surpassed 350 offensive yards. The Raiders held the overall yardage advantage at 402-358, driven by a 308-yard passing total that exceeded the Rams' 241.

Los Angeles ran for 23 more yards and collected seven more first downs, while Las Vegas gained 67 more passing yards and 44 more offensive yards. Both teams entered at 4-2, but only the Raiders left Week 7 with a second consecutive victory. For the Rams, the loss closed a three-game winning streak.

Up Next

Las Vegas will look to build on the win when it travels to face the New York Jets in Week 8. Los Angeles returns home and will try to rebound against the Los Angeles Chargers.