Matthew Stafford sets Rams TD pass record as Los Angeles rolls past Raiders 35-21

LAS VEGAS (AP) — This was, especially in the first half, the kind of Rams team many expected to see all along.

Matthew Stafford threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns to become the Rams' career leader in passing TDs, and Los Angeles resembled the team previously favored to win the Super Bowl, beating the Las Vegas Raiders 35-21 on Sunday.

The Rams (3-4) still have a ways to go to overcome their slow start and numerous injuries, but this victory improves their chances to be a factor in the playoff race. Since the NFL playoffs expanded from 12 to 14 teams in 2020, 10 of 41 clubs have made the postseason after opening 3-4, with just 4 of 33 making it after going 2-5.

At least in the first half, when they took a 28-6 lead, the Rams showed why they entered the season favored to win it all. The Raiders (3-4) made a push in the second half but lost their fourth straight.

“It’s nice feeling a little bit more comfortable in the fourth quarter, and that’s just a testament to how the guys played,” Stafford said. “Great team effort. I thought our coaches did a great job of giving us a plan that we felt great about coming in here to execute. Just proud of the way we worked throughout the week, and I think that showed today. We're going to have to keep doing that and doing it at a high level.”

Stafford has 155 touchdown passes in a Rams uniform, one more than previous team record holder Roman Gabriel. The reigning MVP also became the first player to accomplish that for two teams; Stafford's 282 touchdown passes is Detroit's record.

Las Vegas native Puka Nacua, who had been listed as questionable with a calf injury, caught eight passes for 68 yards and a touchdown for the Rams, and tight end Davis Allen had two TD catches — his first trips to the end zone this season.

Nacua's availability was in question until game day.

“I’m super grateful for everybody in the training room and also the belief in coach (Sean McVay) and everybody for me to be able to go out there and still perform,” Nacua said. “The communication, I think, (for) Matthew is something that he prides himself in, but especially when not being able to get some of those (practice) reps. The time to mentally still (get) a rep and have that conversation so we know where we can be on the same page.”

Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined to rush for 192 yards and two touchdowns for Los Angeles.

The Raiders' Kirk Cousins passed for 295 yards with touchdowns to Tre Tucker and running back Ashton Jeanty. Tucker finished with five receptions for 103 yards, and Jeanty hauled in eight catches for 61 yards. Cousins leads the NFL with 16 TD passes.

Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr., however, rushed for just 42 yards on 14 carries.

The Raiders gave up 30-plus points for fourth consecutive week.

“Well, no one’s coming to help us,” Las Vegas coach Klint Kubiak said. “We’ve got to figure it out ourselves as a coaching staff, with the players, and we have to complement each other as well because we’ve got to start the game a lot faster offensively.”

McVay, now 4-0 against the Raiders, and the Rams took control from the beginning. They led by 22 points at halftime — the Raiders' largest home deficit after two quarters since trailing Cincinnati 24-0 in 2015 — and maintained that advantage after a scoreless third quarter.

The Raiders tried to rally in the fourth, scoring two touchdowns to get within 28-18, though they failed on both 2-point conversions. Las Vegas also failed to convert two fourth downs in Rams territory.

Los Angeles ended a two-game skid, which included last week's stunning 18-16 defeat to Arizona.

“This league is so humbling,” McVay said. “Humility is only a day away, but I was proud of the way the group prepared and, most importantly, celebrating each other’s success, having the right energy when you’re on the road and it’s just you versus the opponent and their fans.”

Rams: CB Trent McDuffie (groin) did not play for the second week in a row. He was listed as questionable, but was deactivated before kickoff.

Rams: Host their Los Angeles rival, the Chargers, next Sunday.

Raiders: Visit the New York Jets next Sunday.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) is tripped up by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Josh Wallace during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen, right, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Tyler Higbee, left, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, left, celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammate Konata Mumpfield during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor, left, attempts to make a catch in front of Los Angeles Rams cornerback Josh Wallace during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, far left, celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Glenn still insists the New York Jets are heading in the right direction.

That’s becoming a tougher sell by the week to many frustrated fans who have serious doubts as to whether he should even be the coach beyond this season.

Yes, the hot seat under Glenn is now scorching.

The Jets’ latest low point came Sunday in a 28-25 loss to the previously winless Miami Dolphins, a team in a full rebuild under a first-year coach in Jeff Hafley. It was a chance for Glenn and his squad to make a statement, and they did: Things are not good at 2-5.

“When it comes to this game, highly disappointed,” Glenn said. “Disappointed in myself, first and foremost.”

Glenn, a former Jets star cornerback who’s in his second season as coach, is now 5-19 overall and dropped to 0-8 against AFC East opponents with the loss to Miami.

New York has the NFL’s longest active postseason drought at 15 consecutive years — and things need to turn around dramatically to avoid it from reaching 16 straight. In spite of all that, Glenn said the Jets are on the right path.

“The reason why I would say that is because there is no quit in these guys,” Glenn said. “Listen, I know what the record is, I do. But I know what I feel about these players and I know how these players play.”

The Jets trailed 21-7 at halftime after allowing Malik Willis and the Dolphins to score touchdowns on their first two possessions for Miami's first lead in any game this season.

New York’s defense stiffened in the second half and the offense made a late push by cutting the deficit to 28-25 with 3:24 left. But the Jets couldn’t stop Willis on a game-sealing fourth-and-1 push up the middle.

“We came out in the second half and, man, I think it was probably doom and gloom from everything outside of (the locker room),” Glenn said. “But inside this locker room, the guys were ready to go and I think they showed up.

“Listen, I know that we’re not where we need to be. But I totally believe that we’re on the right track.”

The scrutiny of Glenn is sure to ratchet up, especially since the defense for which he calls plays has mostly underachieved. The Dolphins came in tied for last in the NFL in scoring offense and near the bottom in yards per game. But they had touchdown drives of 14 and 15 plays in the first half.

“We definitely want to get off to a better start, especially when you put the defense out first,” safety Dane Belton said. “We expect a different result.”

Offensive coordinator Frank Reich is also facing heavy criticism. After a promising start to the season, the Jets' offense has struggled with consistency. The Jets appeared to be in good shape after matching the Dolphins' opening TD drive, but then Geno Smith was intercepted. New York punted on its next drive, took a knee to end the first half and then missed a field goal before getting its next touchdown in the third quarter.

“For us, we’ve got to maximize every single drive, every opportunity and get touchdowns,” Smith said. “Today we did a better job, but it wasn’t enough.”

After a week during which Reich — and Glenn — insisted the Jets must make sure Garrett Wilson gets touches early and often, the star wide receiver didn't get his first target until just over four minutes into the third quarter. He finished with just two catches for 26 yards on three targets.

“A player of his magnitude, we have to do everything we can to try to get him the ball,” Glenn said. “I’m going to put that on myself, of him not getting the targets that he needs because, trust me, that’s in the game plan to make sure that he gets the ball.”

When asked who's responsible for Wilson's targets, Glenn again said that's on him, but added: “I’m going to do everything I can to try to make sure I’m in Frank’s ear to make sure we get him the ball.”

Wilson tried to downplay his lack of touches against the Dolphins.

“It’s all right,” he said. “Just disappointed in the result of the game. It happens.”

The wide receiver's frustration was evident during the fourth quarter, though, when CBS cameras showed Wilson shouting on the sideline with Smith sitting near him. It prompted speculation about whether he had an issue with the quarterback. Passing game coordinator Seth Ryan was also seated near the two.

“We were collaborating,” Wilson said. “I don’t even think I was talking to Geno. We were both heated, but not at each other at all. He was just disappointed with how he was playing to that point, wanted to be a little more aggressive. That’s what that was.”

Smith said he didn't remember the interaction.

“He might’ve been yelling,” Smith said, “but I don’t think he was yelling at me.”

The Jets have another home game next week when they face the Las Vegas Raiders. There were plenty of boos from the stands during this one. It could get a lot worse if Glenn and his squad don't improve — and fast.

“We’ve got to play better and our fans deserve better than that, and that starts with me,” Glenn said. “I’m going to make sure I do everything I can this week to get our guys ready to play our next game. Sunday can’t get here fast enough for us.”

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (44) sacks New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) in the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II dives for a first down in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor (85) catches a pass for a touchdown as Miami Dolphins cornerback Jason Marshall Jr., left, defends in the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn leaves after a news conference after the Miami Dolphins defeated the Jets in an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn in the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)