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Rams defense collapses in fourth quarter of loss to Steelers

October 23, 2023

Rams head coach Sean McVay gives instructions during pregame warm ups prior to playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 as quarterback Matthew Stafford warms up. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Rams running back Darrell Henderson (27) finds running room as the Steeler T.J. Watt pursues during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

The Steelers Najee Harris looks for running room deep in Rams territory early in the third quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford passes up field during the first half against the Steelers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Steelers running back Najee Harris dives short of the endzone early in the third quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Rams defensive back Derion Kendrick (1) joins the huddle during the first half against the visiting Steelers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kendrick was arrested in Hollywood early Monday after a traffic stop, was charged with two misdemeanor gun offenses — carrying a concealed firearm and carrying a loaded firearm — according to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.(Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) hauls in a late second quarter touchdown pass to give the Rams a 9-3 lead over the Steelers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Steelers fans nearly fill an entire field level section during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht, right, moves in to make the sack on Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, left, during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is tripped up by the Rams Russ Yeast, bottom right, during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Los Angeles Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

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INGLEWOOD — Through three quarters, the Rams defense looked as though it had put the Steelers into a box. Six first downs, 110 total yards, three three-and-outs, some standout performances by Michael Hoecht and Cobie Durant.

But when the clock struck the fourth quarter, it was as though the Rams had been transformed into Halloween pumpkins.

The Rams allowed back-to-back touchdown drives to open the fourth quarter, giving up 139 yards and nine first downs on those drives alone as George Pickens and Diontae Johnson gashed them deep.

Their touchdown lead erased, the Rams offense gained just 18 yards and punted it away. But the defense, gassed as it was, could not keep the Steelers from moving down the field, or stop quarterback Kenny Pickett’s decisive fourth-down sneak to close out a 24-17 Rams loss.

The Rams fell to 3-4 for the season and the Steelers improved to 4-2.

The offense wasn’t at its best, but it was doing enough to get the Rams into scoring positions. Running backs Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman, both promoted off the practice squad, combined for over 100 yards and did not allow the Steelers to key in on the pass.

And on a day in which Cooper Kupp dropped his first two targets and couldn’t find a rhythm, rookie Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell came through.

Atwell came out of nowhere to grab a pass intended for Kupp, falling over in the end zone, to score a touchdown. And Nacua put together his fourth 100-yard performance in seven games. His toe-tapping, 36-yard gain against double coverage put the Rams in position for Henderson to punch in the score and put the Rams ahead.

But kicker Brett Maher missed a pair of field goals and an extra point that could have made a difference in the game.

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Orange County Register