BREAKING: Rams Rookies React to Their First Career Touchdowns After London Win
The Los Angeles Rams blew out the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday from Wembley Stadium in London and two rookies shined.
Rams rookies Terrance Ferguson, Konata Mumpfield each scored their first career touchdowns in the game.
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford shined, throwing for five touchdowns. It could be argued the former No. 1 overall pick entered himself into the MVP race with the performance. Despite a low total yards gained on Sunday, the 37-year-old is ranked first in the NFL in passing yards, fourth in touchdowns (17) and he only has two interceptions. He has a career-high 109.3 passer rating.
Stafford connected with Ferguson on a 31-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, while Mumpfield started the scoring with a 5-yard reception, leading the Rams to a 35–7 victory.
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Terrance Ferguson Believes His Faith Brought Him Here
It’s been a long wait for Ferguson.
The second-round pick had to wait for his opportunity after a groin injury sidelined him during training camp. He was inactive for two of the first four games as he worked to refine the blocking skills essential for Rams tight ends before seeing game action.
He recorded his first career catch in Week 5, followed by a career-high 17 snaps in Week 6, setting the stage for his latest milestone on Sunday.
“It was a great call by coach,” Ferguson said postgame. “It was fourth-and-short, taking a deep shot like that. I was just blessed to be put in that opportunity … and obviously it was a great throw, right in the bread basket.”
“It felt really good,” he added. “I think everyone wants everything right now, especially right now with social media and our phones. Everything happens now, everyone wants it on their timing. But really trusting in god’s timing, whenever that was. Trusting in the coaches, trusting in the coaches has been huge for me.”
Konata Mumpfield Ready to Take the Next Step
Mumpfield also had to bide his time in a receivers room featuring Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. His touchdown came on a choice route he had successfully executed in practice.
“The way (the coverage) was kind of set up, I knew I had an opportunity on that ball,” Mumpfield said. “Gave him a slight little jab and the ball was there. With (Stafford), anything is possible.”
With the depth of the receiver room he joined in April, Mumpfield wasn’t guaranteed a chance to see the field this season. Still, he’s viewed it as an opportunity to learn rather than an obstacle to his career.
“Really just focusing on being the best version of myself,” Mumpfield said. “A lot of people wish they were in my shoes so really just taking a step at a time, a day at a time, stacking days and just learning as much as I can from those guys because I prayed in college and high school to learn from a guy like (Adams).”
Adams believes Mumpfield has a bright future ahead of him.
“I call Konata my son because he just reminds me so much of myself as far as a young ‘Tae,” Adams said. “And honestly I think he’s ahead of where I was my rookie year as far as being comfortable in the league. He’s crazy coachable and he’s got all the ability in the world. So as far as whenever I’m done in there, he’ll go and step up and he’ll be catching a lot more touchdowns than he did today.”
Ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Faces Big Adversity In Raiders Debut
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett hoping that he could be the face of the franchise. At first, things started off reasonably well, as Pickett showed the promise of a young quarterback steadily improving. He frequently delivered in high-pressure situations, helping guide Pittsburgh on game-winning drives and earning the trust of coaches and teammates. Fans were optimistic that he could develop into a cornerstone of the Steelers’ offense.
However, after just two seasons, Pickett decided he wanted a fresh start, and the Steelers traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles. His time in Pittsburgh had been a mix of encouraging moments and growing pains, but the move marked the end of his tenure with the team that had drafted him. While he had flashes of brilliance, the fit ultimately wasn’t what either Pickett or the Steelers had hoped for in the long term.
Pickett is now with the Las Vegas Raiders, and on Sunday, late in the regular season game, he made his debut with his new team. The performance gave fans a first look at him in a Raiders uniform. However, it couldn't have started much worse for Pickett. He fumbled the snap right away, giving the football back to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Pickett gave the ball away right when he got in the game, causing him to miss out on a potential drive. The Raiders’ starting quarterback, Geno Smith, signed a massive deal with the team in the 2025 offseason. However, he has struggled significantly to start the season. On Sunday, Smith played so poorly that the Raiders fell behind badly, prompting the team to put Pickett into the game.
When Pickett entered, he completed both of his passes for a total of eight yards. With the game already out of hand, he did not have much of a chance to show what he could do. Still, his brief appearance has sparked conversation about what the Raiders might do at quarterback moving forward.
It does not appear that Smith will be benched, despite his struggles, but his poor play has put Pickett’s name back into the discussion. Fans and analysts may start to wonder if he could get a larger opportunity as the season continues. It will be interesting to see how the Raiders handle their quarterback situation in the coming weeks.
With so much money committed to Smith and Pete Carroll’s strong faith in him, it is hard to believe he will be benched. However, anything is possible when you are playing as poorly as he has.
Steelers' Former First-Round Pick In Kenny Pickett Fumbles In Raiders Debut
Any time a player gets an opportunity to enter a game as a backup, it is never ideal to start with a turnover. That could not have been easy for Pickett, but it was adversity he had to face and overcome.
The fumble will not help his case as he tries to challenge a struggling veteran quarterback in Smith, but it is a moment that tests a player’s resilience and poise under pressure. Pickett surely would have wished his first drive had gone much differently, but with Smith struggling, he now has a chance to earn more opportunities moving forward.
Pickett will be working extra hard in practice as he tries to take advantage of any opportunity moving forward. Steelers fans will continue to follow along his journey.
