2023 Los Angeles Rams season
For the first time since 2019, Jalen Ramsey was not on their opening day roster, as he was traded in the offseason to the Miami Dolphins for a 2023 third-round draft pick and tight end Hunter Long.Rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua continued a prolific season start with nine receptions for 163 yards, including a 22-yard catch for his first NFL touchdown to beat the Colts in overtime.Having won the coin toss and electing to receive, the Rams marched 75 yards in eight plays as quarterback Matthew Stafford led the team despite visibly limping.On the game's final play, Stafford connected with Nacua over the middle at the Colts' 8-yard line, and the rookie wide receiver weaved his way through a pair of defenders for the game-winning score.Wide receiver Cooper Kupp was strong in his return to the field, but the host Rams lost for the second time at home, giving up a late TD in the first half and were held scoreless afterward against the undefeated Eagles.After Philadelphia took a 10–7 lead with 2:15 remaining in the second quarter, Los Angeles responded with a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended as Stafford connected with rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua for a 22-yard go-ahead touchdown that came with 0:32 left.Though the Eagles only scored in the second half on a pair of 26-yard field goals by kicker Jake Elliott in the fourth quarter, Philadelphia controlled the rest of the game, dominating on time of possession (37:55 to 22:05) and limiting the Rams to just 81 yards in total offense after halftime.Running back Kyren Williams ran for 158 yards on 20 carries as the Rams seized control in the second half to win their first home game of the season.Following a Cardinals punt, Stafford's 30-yard pass to wide receiver Tutu Atwell and Williams' 31-yard run down to the Arizona 11 led to a field goal by kicker Brett Maher.The Rams then drove 88 yards in 12 plays with Williams capping it off with a 5-yard TD run that was initially ruled a fumble and touchback but reversed following an instant replay review.Linebacker Byron Young ended Arizona's next possession with a sack of Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs and a forced fumble which he recovered himself that led to Maher's fourth field goal to complete the day's scoring.Following a scoreless first quarter, Los Angeles came back from a 3–0 deficit with a 41-yard field goal by placekicker Brett Maher, who later failed to convert an extra point after wide receiver Tutu Atwell caught a 31-yard scoring pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford just 17 seconds before halftime for a 9–3 lead.But the Steelers rallied for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and L.A. was denied a final chance to come back when Pittsburgh's Pickett converted on a fourth-and-1 play after a highly questionable spot of the ball.Kicker Lucas Havrisik, who was signed after Los Angeles had cut Brett Maher two weeks earlier, converted a 52-yard field goal for the Rams' only points of the game.Returning to the starting lineup, quarterback Matthew Stafford led Los Angeles on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua with nine seconds left in the first half.The Rams turned in their most dominant performance of the season, combining for 457 yards (229 passing, 228 rushing) in total offense while winning at Arizona for the ninth straight time dating back to 2015.Cleveland struck first by taking the opening kickoff and driving 75 yards in nine plays to finish with a 24-yard touchdown pass from veteran backup quarterback Joe Flacco to running back Jerome Ford.The Rams responded by scoring on their next two drives to take a 10–7 lead, first with kicker Lucas Havrisik booting a 44-yard field goal, then after forcing a Browns punt, quarterback Matthew Stafford found rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua deep down the middle.It took the Rams five plays to score as Stafford (22–37, 279 yards, 0 INTs) threw his third TD pass of the day, a 3-yard strike to wide receiver Cooper Kupp that gave L.A. an eight-point lead.Facing the NFL's top-rated defense, Los Angeles rolled up over 400 yards in total offense and took an early lead on a 27-yard field goal by Lucas Havrisik.Two Justin Tucker field goals tied the score at 20–20 in the third quarter, but an errant snap by the Ravens was kicked out of the end zone by Jackson for a safety and 22–20 Rams advantage.But Baltimore rallied with Jackson's third touchdown pass of this game, this one 21 yards to wide receiver Zay Flowers, and the same combination connected for a two-point conversion and a 31–28 lead.But after Havrisik missed a 43-yard field goal, Washington scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives behind backup QB Jacoby Brissett to close to within 28–20 with 1:50 remaining.Rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua produced 180 yards in total offense and caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to complete L.A.'s 14-play, 95-yard opening drive.New Orleans rallied late with two touchdown passes from quarterback Derek Carr to close within 30–22, but Nacua covered the onside kick attempt and the Rams ran out the clock.Los Angeles ensured itself of a winning season and ultimately a return to the postseason by holding off the host Giants for the Rams' sixth victory in seven weeks.Nacua's big play set up another short rushing touchdown from Williams for a 20–10 lead, but the ensuing extra point from kicker Lucas Havrisik sailed wide of the uprights.Following an exchange of punts, the Giants responded with a big play of their own when quarterback Tyrod Taylor hit wide receiver Darius Slayton deep down the middle for an 80-yard touchdown (followed by a missed extra point) that cut the Rams' lead back to four.In a game that had both teams resting or limiting their starting lineups, the Rams ended a nine-game regular season losing streak to the 49ers by rallying to defeat their NFC West rivals at Levi's Stadium.