The Rams Survived a Sloppy Battle Against the Ravens – But Was This Win as Convincing as It Seems?
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Los Angeles Rams escaped with a 17-3 victory over the struggling Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, but let’s be honest: this wasn’t a showcase of brilliance from either team. Here’s the breakdown of how an ugly, mistake-filled game unfolded—and why the Ravens’ problems run deeper than just injuries.
A Game of Missed Opportunities and Critical Stops
The Rams (now 4-2) didn’t need to be at their best against a Ravens squad (1-5) missing star quarterback Lamar Jackson for the second straight week. Baltimore’s offense sputtered after an early field goal, while the Rams capitalized on late-game miscues to pull away.
The Turning Point: A Goal-Line Stand That Crushed Baltimore’s Hopes
With the score tied 3-3 late in the first half, the Ravens had a golden chance to take the lead—first-and-goal from the 4-yard line. After Derrick Henry powered to the 1, Baltimore attempted back-to-back "tush push" sneaks with tight end Mark Andrews taking direct snaps. Neither worked. Then, on fourth down, Henry was stuffed at the line.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a coaching failure? Critics will argue Baltimore should’ve been more creative near the goal line, especially without Jackson’s dual-threat ability.
Rams Seize Control in the Second Half
Kyren Williams broke the deadlock with a 3-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Moments later, Ravens rookie Zay Flowers fumbled, and Matthew Stafford swiftly punished the mistake with an 8-yard scoring strike to Tyler Higbee, making it 17-3.
And this is the part most people miss: The Rams’ defense bent but didn’t break, holding Baltimore to just 72 passing yards between backup QBs Cooper Rush (who was later benched) and Tyler Huntley.
Ravens’ Offense: A Mess Without Lamar
With Jackson sidelined (hamstring), Baltimore’s offense was painfully one-dimensional. Rush threw an interception, lost a fumble, and was eventually pulled. Huntley provided a brief spark, driving the Ravens to the red zone late—only for the drive to stall on downs.
Controversial take: Should the Ravens have started Huntley sooner? His mobility at least gave the Rams something to think about.
Injury Woes Pile Up for Both Sides
- Ravens: LT Ronnie Stanley (ankle) returned but exited early. Edge rusher Tavius Robinson also left with a foot injury.
- Rams: Rookie sensation Puka Nacua (foot) briefly left but returned, while RB Blake Corum (ankle) didn’t.
What’s Next?
The Rams head to London to face Jacksonville, while the Ravens get a much-needed bye before hosting Chicago. Can Baltimore salvage its season? Only four teams have ever rebounded from a 1-5 start to make the playoffs—and none in the current 17-game era.
Final Thought: Were the Rams genuinely dominant, or did they benefit from facing a hobbled Ravens team? Could Baltimore’s season already be over? Sound off in the comments!
