FINAL: Puka Nacua Lifts Los Angeles Rams 29-23 Over Colts
The Los Angeles Rams are looking to get back to .500 after dropping two of their last three games to open the new season as they travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to face the Indianapolis Colts.
After opening the season with a somewhat surprising win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams have lost two their last two games, which saw them face the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals. However, both games were winnable for the Rams, especially their most recent loss to the Bengals on ESPN's Monday Night Football.
Their 19-16 loss to the Bengals was filled with miscues in the redzone that ultimately could've seen them pull out a win over a team that was winless until their meeting. However, following the loss where the Rams had two turnovers, both being interceptions thrown by Matthew Stafford, the potential return of star receiver Cooper Kupp could be the boost they need to get back in the win column.
After missing the first three games with a calf injury that has sidelined him since the beginning of training camp, Kupp's return to the field could give the Rams a one-two punch at receiver between him and standout rookie Puka Nacua.
As for the Colts, they are coming off wins versus the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans after losing in their season-opener to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
WHAT: Los Angeles Rams (1-2) vs Indianapolis Colts (2-1)
WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN (70,000)
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, 10 a.m. (PT)
WHAT: Los Angeles Rams (1-2) vs Indianapolis Colts (2-1)
WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN (70,000)
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, 10 a.m. (PT)
First Quarter
The Rams offense got the ball first and drove down the field with relative ease before Kyren Williams punched the ball into the endzone for a three-yard touchdown.
RAMS TOUCHDOWN
Rams 7, Colts 0
Change of Possession
The Colts' first drive lasted just six plays before being forced to punt as Anthony Richardson was sacked on third down by Ernest Jones.
Change of Possession
The Rams drove 94 yards in 10 plays as Williams had five carries for 22 yards and a score as he found the endzone on a three-yard run.
RAMS TOUCHDOWN
Rams 14, Colts 0
Change of Possession
After Richardson broke off a 23-yard scramble and found Josh Downs for a four-yard gain, his next run saw him stripped of the ball by Jordan Fuller.
Change of Possession
Second Quarter
Stafford started off the drive with a 33-yard pass to Tyler Higbee before the Rams offense would stall in Colts' territory as they had to settle for a 40-yard field goal from Brett Maher.
FIELD GOAL RAMS
Rams 17, Colts 0
Change of Possession
The Colts didn't get much going as they went three-and-out before a punt.
Change of Possession
A third-down sack holds the Rams to just a field goal as Stafford lost seven yards before Maher's 54-yard kick.
FIELD GOAL RAMS
Rams 20, Colts 0
Change of Possession
The Colts had a chance to get on the board, but a 47-yard field goal from Matt Gay was wide right.
Change of Possession
The Rams drove 35 yards in four plays as a 20-yard run from Williams helped set up a field goal attempt for Brett Maher. However, the Rams would go into halftime empty-handed as his 46-yard field goal was wide left.
Third Quarter
An Aaron Donald sack on Richardson helped force a punt from the Colts on a quick four-play opening drive of the second half.
Change of Possession
Maher extends the Rams lead to 23 points as he connected on 51-yard field goal attempt after a nine-play drive that spanned 38 yards. The biggest play of the drive came from Stafford's 17-yard pass to Puka Nacua.
FIELD GOAL RAMS
Rams 23, Colts 0
Change of Possession
The Colts ended their scoring drought as he found Mo Alie-Cox for a 35-yard passing touchdown. It was a quick four-play drive for the Colts as they drove 75 yards before the score.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS
Rams 23, Colts 8
Change of Possession
The Rams drive lasted just two plays before Kenny Moore II picked off Stafford's pass.
Change of Possession
The LA defense was able to hold the Colts out of the endzone and off the scoreboard as they went for it on fourth and seven, but Richardson's pass was incomplete.
Change of Possession
Fourth Quarter
The Rams drive came up empty as Maher missed a 48-yard field goal attempt. The drive spanned eight plays and went 40 yards before the missed kick.
Change of Possession
Richardson helps the Colts find the endzone again as his one-yard touchdown run capped off a six-play drive. A defensive pass interference penalty on Akhello Witherspoon helped the Colts find the endzone as they took advantage of the 15-yard penalty.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS
Rams 23, Colts 15
Change of Possession
Stafford's limited mobility continues to hurt the Rams' offense as he is visibly dealing with a leg injury. Despite being sacked on first down, Stafford managed to help convert a tough third-and-long as he found Higbee for a 10-yard completion. However, that is all the Rams could muster before having to punt.
Change of Possession
The Colts mixed up run and pass on a long 13-play drive before Richardson found Drew Ogletree for a five-yard touchdown pass and then Michael Pittman for the two-point conversion.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS
Rams 23, Colts 23
Change of Possession
Two big booth reviews negated two catches, the last of which was a pass to Higbee which would've been for a first down. Instead, the incompletions forced the Rams to punt.
Change of Possession
The Rams defense forces a three-and-out to give their offense the ball back.
Change of Possession
The Rams are forced to punt after being unable to convert a third and one and get past midfield.
Change of Possession
Instead of trying to throw a hail mary, the Colts took a knee.
Overtime
The Rams won the toss and received the ball to start overtime and made quick work of the Colts defense, driving 75 yards in nine plays before Stafford found Nacua for a the game-winning 26-yard pass.
TOUCHDOWN RAMS
FINAL: Rams 29, Colts 23
