Mayfield leads Rams to stunning win over Raiders on debut

Baker Mayfield made a sensational debut for the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, leading the current Super Bowl champions to victory over the Las Vegas Raiders – just two days after joining the team.

The former #1 overall pick from 2018 led two late touchdown drives for his new side, including a 98-yarder which featured the game-winning score to Van Jefferson with less than ten seconds on the clock. Taylor Rapp sealed the match with a last second interception for the Rams, confirming a 17-16 victory.

Mayfield joined the Carolina Panthers from the Cleveland Browns in July 2022, but was waived after playing in just seven games.

He only joined the LA team on the Tuesday before the game against the Raiders, and replaced John Wolford, suffering from a neck injury, in the first quarter. The Rams trailed 16-3 with less than 13 minutes to play, as the former Oklahoma standout went on to complete 22/35 passes for 230 yards in the comeback.

“It has been a wild 48 hours,” said Mayfield. “What just happened? It sucked having to leave [the Panthers] but when it works out like this, it’s for the best.”

With the win, the Rams ended a losing-streak of six games and improve to a still-dismal 4-9 record.

For the Raiders, a three-game winning run ended in disappointing fashion as they slipped to 5-8, crushing their albeit optimistic playoff ambitions.

QB Derek Carr played poorly in the defeat, throwing for two interceptions and no touchdowns, while Josh Jacobs continued his outrageous form, rushing for 99 yards and a score.

They will be desperate to return to winning ways next Sunday against the New England Patriots.