Baker Mayfield’s game-winning drive shocks Raiders in miracle comeback win

The chances had been in opposition to Baker Mayfield from the beginning of this recreation between the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders. 

He was scooped off waivers by the Rams after being launched by the Carolina Panthers earlier this week. Mayfield received the playbook on Tuesday night time whereas flying to Los Angeles to fulfill together with his new coaches and teammates, giving him between 36-48 hours to be taught the performs if he was going to step underneath middle. 

However Mayfield, the previous first total number of the 2018 NFL Draft, didn’t simply grind out his first recreation within the hardest of circumstances. He led a miracle comeback to defeat the Raiders, 17-16, at SoFi Stadium in his first begin as a Ram. 

The Rams’ beginning quarterback wasn’t introduced till Los Angeles ran out on the sector for the primary time, and it was John Wolford underneath middle. He was coping with a neck harm heading into the sport and the Rams weren’t certain if he’d be able to go. 

Seems, he won’t have been as a result of Mayfield jogged onto the sector proper after the Rams went three-and-out. 

Mayfield’s first cross off play-action was full for 21 yards to Van Jefferson, however he wanted a bit extra time to settle into the sport. Bear in mind, he had round 36-48 hours to be taught his new playbook, to not point out chemistry with receivers, checks pre-snap and way more. 

Mayfield’s first drive would result in three factors for Los Angeles, however he wouldn’t get extra till late within the fourth quarter when a 17-play, 75-yard drive resulted in Cam Akers simply moving into the top zone on a run play one yard out. 

That made it 16-10 and Los Angeles would power a Raiders punt on the following drive to at the very least give themselves an opportunity. But it surely needed to be a 97-yard miracle. 

BAKER MAYFIELD ENTERS GAME FOR RAMS JUST DAYS AFTER BEING PICKED UP OFF WAIVERS

Given the state of affairs Mayfield discovered himself in, it was a troublesome hill to climb. However what did Mayfield must lose at this level within the recreation? 

Due to an unsportsmanlike conduct name after getting sacked, Mayfield and the Rams had been out of their very own finish zone and started working. Ben Skowronek made a unbelievable, contested seize for 32 yards on the following play, getting LA into Raiders’ territory. Mayfield continued to run the no-huddle offense and spiked it with 16 seconds left on the clock on the Vegas 23-yard line. 

Then, he dialed it as much as the defacto high huge receiver, Jefferson, who fought via contact and beat his man down the left sideline, hauling within the game-winning landing. 

Baker Mayfield #17 of the Los Angeles Rams passes the ball in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders throughout the first quarter at SoFi Stadium on December 08, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Pictures)

Matt Homosexual nailed the additional level for the lead, and on the following possession, Derek Carr’s first cross was intercepted by security Taylor Rapp to ice the gorgeous comeback win, as LA snaps a six-game dropping streak to maneuver to 4-9 on the season.

Regardless of the percentages set in opposition to him, Mayfield was 22 of 35 for 230 yards and one landing to gather simply his second win as a starter this season. He went 1-5 with the Panthers earlier than they launched him. 

BAKER MAYFIELD’S WIFE SOUNDS OFF ON THE ‘WEIRDEST’ YEAR FOLLOWING PANTHERS RELEASE

For the Raiders, it was one more head-scratching loss, particularly with how they set the tone on their first drive of the sport. Carr and the offense went 12 performs and 75 yards with Josh Jacobs busting it into the top zone to make it 7-0 early on. 

Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders makes a reception in opposition to Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Los Angeles Rams throughout the first quarter at SoFi Stadium on December 08, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Pictures)

The Raiders’ protection was doing their job, too, recognizing Mayfield was studying the offense on the fly and feeding off that. Nonetheless, Carr couldn’t maintain drives for Las Vegas, particularly within the second half after they had been solely capable of safe one subject aim. He additionally threw an interception in the long run zone throughout the first half, which trying again now, was a game-changing play. 

Carr would end the sport 11 of 20 via the air with 137 yards and two interceptions, whereas Jacobs had 99 yards on 27 carries. 

PANTHERS TO RELEASE BAKER MAYFIELD AFTER ACQUIRING HIM IN OFFSEASON: REPORT

Davante Adams had a sick one-handed seize off Jalen Ramsey on the third play of the sport for the Raiders, however he’d end with simply three receptions on seven targets for 71 yards. 

The Raiders got here into this recreation nonetheless within the AFC playoff hunt and a win to maneuver to 6-7 would’ve helped their probabilities to safe a wild card spot down the stretch. 

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a cross throughout the first half of an NFL soccer recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.
(AP Picture/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

As an alternative, Mayfield reminded everybody why he was the primary total choose to play spoiler on Thursday night time.