Rams lose to Steelers after controversial, non-reviewable fourth-down call
Kenny Pickett converted on a fourth-down quarterback sneak at the two-minute warning to preserve the Steelers’ 24-17 victory over the Rams at SoFi Stadium.
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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.
After a Darrell Henderson touchdown run, the Rams regain the lead.
Writer: Austin Knoblauch
Rams 17, Steelers 10 — with 3 minutes remaining
The Rams took the lead once more after Darrell Henderson scored on a one-yard carry up the middle and Matthew Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp on the two-point conversion try.
Puka Nacua, a rookie wide receiver, made two outstanding catches for 32 and 20 yards during the nine-play, 75-yard drive.
T.J. Watt intercepts Matthew Stafford, and the Steelers take the lead.
Writer: Austin Knoblauch
Steelers 10, Rams 9 with 3:19 remaining in the halves
After throwing an interception to start the second half, Steelers quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Rams was relieved three plays later with a touchdown.
T.J. Watt of the Steelers intercepted Stafford as he attempted to go after Cooper Kupp. Kenny Pickett of the Steelers scored on a one-yard keeper after Watt returned the pick 24 yards to the Rams’ seven-yard line.
Just before halftime, a touchdown by Tutu Atwell gives the Rams the lead.
HALF TIME: Rams 9, Steelers 3.
With 17 seconds remaining in the first half, Matthew Stafford found Tutu Atwell for a 31-yard touchdown pass; however, Brett Maher missed the extra point to give the Rams a six-point advantage.
Puka Nacua, the receiver, set up the drive with a 36-yard catch-and-run gain.
During the eight-play, 88-yard drive, running back Darrell Henderson carried the ball five times for 21 yards.
Nine out of 16 passes from Stafford have been completed for 159 yards and a touchdown.
Cooper Kupp has two catches for 29 yards and two drops, while Nacua has five catches for 94 yards.
Henderson has rushed for 42 yards on nine carries since starting in place of Kyren Williams, who is injured.
Michael Hoecht, an outside linebacker, has two sacks totaling sixteen yards.
In the second quarter, Brett Maher’s field goal ties the game.
From Gary Klein
Steelers 3, Rams 3 — 2:56 remaining in the quarter
After missing, Brett Maher recovered to tie the game with a 41-yard field goal.
During the eight-play, 36-yard drive, Matthew Stafford’s 22-yard pass to receiver Puka Nacua was the pivotal play.
For 92 yards, Stafford has completed seven of his thirteen passes. Nacua has 58 yards on four catches.
In seven carries, Royce Freeman has gained 37 yards through rushes.
Chris Boswell’s field goal gives the Steelers the lead.In seven carries, Royce Freeman has gained 37 yards through rushes.
Steelers 3, Rams 0 — with 2:51 remaining in the half
This season, Chris Boswell has continued to be flawless. He gave the Steelers the lead with a 53-yard field goal.
Boswell has successfully attempted all 11 of his field goals.
tight end Kenny Pickett’s 12-yard pass The field goal was set up by Connor Heyward.
Pickett has gained 58 yards by completing five of his eight passes.
Brett Maher’s missed field goal attempt strikes the left upright.
From Gary Klein
With 3:35 remaining in the first quarter, Rams 0, Steelers 0.
The Rams had a chance to take the lead, but Brett Maher’s 53-yard field goal attempt struck the left upright and bounced away.
Starting at their six-yard line, the Rams advanced down the field with running by Royce Freeman and a 30-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua.
However, the momentum was lost when Maher was substituted in for Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who had tackled Freeman for a loss.
Who will start at cornerback and running back for the Rams? These are your options…
When the Rams play the Pittsburgh Steelers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, they will start a new player on offense and possibly a new player on defense.
In place of the injured Kyren Williams, rookies Zach Evans, Royce Freeman, Darrell Henderson, or Myles Gaskin will start at running back.
Furthermore, it’s unclear if cornerback Derion Kendrick, who is accused of two misdemeanor gun charges, will play for the Rams. After his arraignment was postponed until December 5, Kendrick was not allowed to practice on Wednesday. Coach Sean McVay stated that Kendrick’s case would be assessed as his legal circumstances developed.
Sunday’s Rams vs. Pittsburgh Steelers inactives
Writer: Austin Knoblauch
The following players won’t be wearing the Rams uniform on Sunday at SoFi Stadium when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers:
Who will not be playing for the Steelers is as follows:
Rams will increase the cost of season tickets in 2024.
The Rams have started this season with a 3-3 record, had the worst Super Bowl hangover in NFL history, and won a Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in the previous three years.
The cost of Rams season tickets did not change during that time.
The Rams notified season ticket holders on Tuesday that prices would rise for the 2024 campaign in correspondence.
According to the team, this is the first increase since the 2021 season’s prices were revealed in 2018.
Derion Kendrick of the Rams is listed as doubtful, but he plans to play against the Steelers.
Coach Sean McVay of the Rams said on Friday that cornerback Derion Kendrick, who is accused of two misdemeanor gun charges, practiced on Friday and might play against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
On Monday, Kendrick, 23, was taken into custody in Hollywood on a possible felony firearm charge. Kendrick was charged with one misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed firearm and another count of carrying a loaded firearm by the office of the Los Angeles City Attorney.
The date of his arraignment was postponed until December 5.
When, how, and how to watch the Rams vs. Steelers game
From Gary Klein
analyzing the matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) and the Rams (3-3) before their Sunday game at SoFi Stadium at 1:05 p.m. Fox has the game scheduled to air.
With a confused running back situation, quarterback Matthew Stafford and receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will remain the offensive force to be reckoned with.
Coach Sean McVay could use a rotating lineup that includes newly added Darrell Henderson, Myles Gaskin, rookie Zach Evans, and Royce Freeman in place of injured reserves Kyren Williams (ankle) and Ronnie Rivers (knee).
Henderson is the most experienced player in the system; however, it is unclear if he is ready for prime time after signing this week.
Averages per game surpass
