Los Angeles Rams vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Live In-Game Updates, Highlights: Rams Lose 24-17

The Los Angeles Rams may be without their top running backs, but Week 7's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers could turn into an aerial affair.

The Los Angeles Rams will welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers to Hollywood in Week 7’s action, hoping to fend off yet another feisty underdog.

The Pittsburgh connection to Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who hailed from Pitt, may make some headlines, but a large portion of the attention on Sunday will be sent toward Los Angeles’ offense, which will be operating without running backs Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers, both of which were placed on injured reserve this week.

Subsequently, they’ll be rostering rookie Zach Evans, practice squad promotion Royce Freeman, and recent acquisitions Darrell Henderson and Myles Gaskin.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws on the run to receiver Cooper Kupp / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t know how they are going to deploy their running backs. You don’t know how they are going to deploy their running backs. Head coach Sean McVay does, but he’s not going to tell us.

“I have a sense, yes,” McVay said regarding a plan for Sunday’s running back usage.

When asked if he would make that plan public to ease the concerns of fantasy managers alike, he declined.

“No, I will not.”

It’s hard to be overly confident in the Rams’ ground game, especially against a Steelers defense that is pretty stout up front. As a result, this one may produce some fireworks from quarterback Matthew Stafford and the passing offense.

Receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacau are putting up just silly numbers so far this season, and the Pittsburgh secondary has been particularly vulnerable to explosive plays. The way Stafford’s been flinging fastballs and how well his receivers are producing should be the Rams’ lifeline in Week 7.

That is if Stafford can stay upright while edge rusher T.J. Watt hones in on him.

Los Angeles is in a spot where being rendered one-dimensional is a possibility, but there isn’t much proof Pittsburgh’s offense can keep up with basically any type of strong performance from Stafford. The Rams will need the offensive line to step up and allow the passing offense to do its thing on Sunday, but will it?

WHAT: Los Angeles Rams (3-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

WHERE: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA (70,240)

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, 1:05 p.m. (PT)

TELEVISION: FOX

RADIO: ESPNLA 710 AM, Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM

ODDS: Rams -3.5 (+100), -167 Moneyline, Total: 43.5 (o -118/u -110)

Live updates will appear after kickoff.

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FIRST QUARTER

Steelers First Drive: The Steelers received the opening kickoff. 

Pittsburgh's first drive didn't end well. After an eight-yard catch from running back Najee Harris, an incompletion and a sack would lead to a punt.

Rams First Drive: Stafford's day started with an incompletion, but Henderson got things rolling with a 16-yard rush.

His next rush would go for six yards. 

On third-and-14, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi would give Stafford his first sack of the game.

Steelers Second Drive: Harris opened their second drive with a fumble that, luckily for them, was not recovered by Los Angeles.

A 17-yard catch from receiver George Pickens would bring the Steelers into Rams' territory. A second Pickens deep ball would fall incomplete, ending the drive.

Rams Second Drive: Freeman got in on the action with a nine-yard rush. Nacua had a 30-yard catch to put his fingerprints on this one.

It may be a drive-by-drive rotation for the Rams, rushing three more times on the drive. Ultimately, they would settle for a 52-yard field goal, but Brett Maher missed.

Steelers Third Drive: Receiver Diontae Johnson made his first catch since returning from injury -- good for 15 yards.

Soon after, Pickett was sacked for an 11-yard loss. 

The Rams are tied 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

On third-and-17, Pickett's screen fell incomplete. A Chris Boswell field goal would give them the first lead of the game.

The Rams trail 3-0 with 14:51 remaining in the second quarter.

Rams Third Drive: Henderson received the first carry of the Rams' drive, but failed to gain a yard.

Kupp's first explosive play of the game came on third-and-11, where he generated 24 yards, bringing Los Angeles to about midfield.

Penalties would make this drive unsalvagable. 

Steelers Fourth Drive: Pittsburgh was unable to move the ball and quickly returned the ball via a punt.

Rams Fourth Drive: Freeman started this series with a six-yard rush. A holding penalty on Pittsburgh would precede another Stafford sack.

On third-and-11, he'd find Nacua for 22 yards. That catch would give him the most catches and receiving yards through six games for a rookie.

On third-and-4, Stafford would target Nacua again, for an incompletion.

The Rams tied the game, 3-3, with 5:56 remaining in the second quarter.

Steelers Fifth Drive: Pickens found himself on the right end of an explosive play, catching a pass along the boundary for 20 yards.

However, the drive would quickly stall out, leading to a third-down intentional grounding.

Rams Fifth Drive: Nacua has returned to his productive form with another big catch -- this one 36 yards.

This drive would be Henderson's. Sense a pattern? He would give them a new set of downs with just over 30 seconds to play in the half.

The drive would end with a touchdown from receiver Tutu Atwell. Stafford spun left out of the pocket and made a miraculous play out of structure.

Maher would miss the ensuing extra point.

The Rams lead 9-3 with 0:17 to play in the first half.

Steelers Sixth Drive: Pickett kneeled out the half.

The Rams lead 9-3 at halftime.

THIRD QUARTER

Rams Sixth Drive: Stafford started the half by throwing an interception immediately out of the gate.

Steelers Seventh Drive: Set up in a goal-to-go situation, Pickett scampered into the end zone for a score.

The Rams trail 10-9 with 13:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Rams Seventh Drive: A big Nacua play would move Los Agneles 32 yards forward and into Pittsburgh territory.

Another Nacua catch would go for 20 more yards, bringing them to the eight-yard line.

The drive would end with a one-yard Henderson touchdown. Kupp would haul in the two-point conversion.

The Rams lead 17-10 with 8:57 remaining in the third quarter.

Steelers Eighth Drive: After an eight-yard Johnson gain, a second-down holding penalty would set them back.

On third down, Pickett scrambled for two yards. The Steelers would punt.

Rams Eighth Drive: Freeman took the first couple rushes of the drive, gaining 16 yards. Nacua would rack up another reception.

On third-and-7, Stafford scrambled to move the chains. They would not be able to achieve a new set of downs, settling for a field goal.

From 51 yards, Maher was unsuccessful.

The Rams lead 17-10 at the end of the third quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

Steelers Ninth Drive: Another slow start for the Steelers, combining for two yards on the first two downs of the drive.

However, a clutch catch-and-run from Johnson netted 39 yards.

A Jaylen Warren rush would find a crease and hop into the end zone.

The Rams are tied 17-17 with 13:49 remaining.

Rams Ninth Drive: After two Henderson rushes, Stafford's third-down pass fell incomplete.

The Rams elected to punt.

Steelers Tenth Drive: Pickens made another big catch to start the drive, but a moronic unsportsmanlike penalty turned an 18-yard catch into a three-yard gain. 

Pittsburgh would still manage to convert on a quarterback sneak. Pickett would return to Pickens on the next set of downs for a 22-yard catch. 

Johnson moved the chains soon after with an out route to the right sideline.

Two plays later, Harris would rumble into the end zone.

The Rams trail 24-17 with 7:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Rams Tenth Drive: Freeman began the drive with two rushes for a combined 13 yards and a first down after an illegal contact penalty.

Three consecutive Stafford passes would be incomplete, leading to a punt.

Steelers Eleventh Drive: After two Harris rushes, Picket pinned one on Pickens for 31 yards.

Pittsburgh would begin to rely on its rushing attack after the gain, looking to drain clock.

A third-down pass was incomplete, but defensive pass interference was called. However, Johnson was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and the penalties were offset.

After hitting Allen Robinson, the Steelers would face a crucial fourth-down decision. They decided to sneak it and were successful. Los Angeles has no timeouts at the two-minute warning.

Pickett will kneel this one down to the final seconds.

The Rams lost, 24-17, to the Steelers. They are now 3-4.