The Los Angeles Rams played a home game Thursday night, but the atmosphere inside SoFi Stadium wasn’t the same.
Playing in front of a plethora of Raiders fans, the Rams stunned the franchise that once called Los Angeles home, 17-16 on Thursday night.
The victory ended a six-game losing streak for the defending Super Bowl champion Rams and ended a three-game winning streak for a Raiders team trying to make a playoff push.
Thursday was the first time the Raiders and Rams faced off in Southern California since Nov. 13, 1994. Here are the Week 14 tilt winners and losers:
Winners
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Baker Mayfield takes victory after showing up this week
Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Rams on Tuesday and played most of the game for the club on Thursday. Predictably, he had some issues communicating with players, and it was clear he didn’t have a full understanding of the playbook (no one would in 48 hours).
But Mayfield caught fire and was more comfortable in the fourth quarter. He led the Rams on a 17-game, 75-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 16-10.
The Rams defense then forced the Raiders offense to a three-and-out and Mayfield and the Rams had an eight-play, 98-yard game-winning touchdown to seal the victory.
On the game-winning drive, Ben Skowronek hit a big catch from 32 yards to put the Rams in business. A few plays later, Mayfield threw a magnificent 23-yard touchdown to Van Jefferson. Both plays were probably Mayfield’s best assists of his roller coaster season.
Mayfield finished the game 22 of 35 passing for 230 yards and a touchdown.
“It’s a really good story,” Mayfield said after the game, according to The Associated Press. “I’ll be honest with you. It’s quite special. … I like to compete. I love this game.”
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Ben Skowronek, Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell
Mayfield had strong relationships with all three players after meeting them this week. The trio combined for 14 receptions, 183 yards and a touchdown.
All three were huge down the stretch for a Rams team playing without Matthew Stafford (neck) and Cooper Kupp (ankle).
Bobby Wagner leads the defense without Aaron Donald
Wagner, as he has been throughout his career, was a tackling machine.
He was around football all night. He had a game-high 14 tackles, including a huge tackle on the third-and-first late in the fourth quarter that led to a Raiders punt.
The Rams scored the game-winning touchdown on the next possession.
Ram Defense
The Rams defense held the Raiders to just 20 yards in the fourth quarter and three points in the second half.
Wagner, Jalen Ramsey and the Rams defense made crucial saves while the Los Angeles offense struggled for most of the game.
The Raiders could only convert a first down in the fourth quarter.
Maxx Crosby disruptive again
Crosby came into play Thursday with a league-leading 17 tackles for loss. Crosby had four tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack in the loss.
losers
Defense of Adventurers
The Raiders defense allowed 144 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. With less than two minutes remaining, they gave up a game-winning 98-yard touchdown.
Las Vegas held the Rams offense to 95 total yards in the first half, but it crumbled in the fourth quarter.
Jerry Tillery flagged late in fourth quarter
Tillery was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct following a Raiders sack on first down in the fourth quarter with less than two minutes remaining after knocking the ball out of Mayfield’s hands. The penalty brought the Rams to life on their winning run.
Derek Carr throws two picks
Carr had a disappointing night. The Fresno State product failed to throw a touchdown and had two interceptions, including a pick in the end zone.
Carr passed 11 of 20 for 137 yards and had two interceptions in the loss. It was an uninspiring performance from the QB.
Rams QB John Wolford
Wolford entered the night nursing a neck injury. He got the start, but made three outs and didn’t complete a pass in his first and only series. Mayfield registered for Wolford and played the rest of the match.
Wolford is unlikely to play ahead of Mayfield the rest of the season.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.
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