Jaylen McCollough may not be a household name but he’s been one of the Rams’ most impactful defenders in the last two games. He had a pick-six against the Packers in Week 5 and on Sunday, he and Cooper Kupp both had a feeling another interception was coming against the Raiders.
McCollough told Gary Klein of the LA Times after Sunday’s win that in his pre-game conversation with Kupp, he told the Rams star he was going to have not one, but two interceptions. And that he did.
“You got another one for me?” McCollough recalled Kupp asking him before the game.
“Nah, bro. I got two,” he replied. “It was crazy because, like, I ended up with two.”
McCollough’s first interception of the game came with 8:35 left in the third quarter. He was in perfect position after the ball went off the receiver and landed in his lap for an easy pick. Two plays later, the Rams were in the end zone with a 20-6 lead.
His second also came at an opportune time during the Raiders’ final drive of the afternoon. It was a desperation heave by Gardner Minshew down the field on third down and McCollough tracked the ball for his second interception of the game.
Sean McVay gave McCollough a game ball in the locker room after the victory, crediting him for the impact he had on defense. The undrafted rookie out of Tennessee has carved out a nice role for himself in the secondary and it should continue to grow as he gets even more comfortable.
Maybe on Thursday night he’ll tell Kupp three more picks are coming against Sam Darnold.
