DETROIT -- Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum played the game of his life -- right up until the very end.
Down three with just over a minute left in a back-and-forth contest from Ford Field on Sunday, Keenum tried to hit tight end Lance Kendricks deep down the middle of the field and threw into triple coverage, leading to a game-ending interception by Rafael Bush and a disheartening 31-28 loss, the Rams' second in a row.
"We did some good things offensively," Keenum said. "Unfortunately, it was a couple plays too short."
Earlier, Keenum had completed 19 consecutive passes, breaking a franchise record of 18 that was previously set by Jim Everett in 1989. He finished 27-of-32 for 321 yards and three passing touchdowns, plus an additional rushing touchdown. And he benefited from a big day by veteran receiver Kenny Britt, who hauled in seven of his eight targets, gained 136 yards and scored twice, one of which came on a 9-yard pass that saw him absorb four hits.
But the Rams' defense, the one that made several game-changing plays in a three-game winning streak earlier this season, couldn't make any of that stand.
"I put the blame on defense," Rams defensive end William Hayes said. "... That s--- we put on film -- that wasn't us today, man."
Tied at 28 with about 5 minutes left from their own 39, the Lions gained 44 yards on eight plays, settling for a 34-yard field goal after failing to get the Rams to jump offside on fourth-and-1. Keenum then took over from the 25 with 89 seconds left, needing to at least get the Rams in scoring position. But he committed a costly turnover on his second play from scrimmage, one week after his pick-six led to the winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.
The Rams were without standout defensive end Robert Quinn and No. 1 cornerback Trumaine Johnson, and they lost starting defensive tackle Michael Brockers after he re-aggravated his hip injury. They let the Lions gain 348 total yards, with Golden Tate accounting for 165 of them, and allowed too many big plays for a second straight week.
It led to a loss on a day when the Rams' offense -- last in the NFL in yards per game through the first five weeks -- accumulated 23 first downs and gained 387 yards, both season highs.
That's what made it so difficult.
The Rams' locker room was noticeably dejected postgame, while packing for the 3,700-mile trip for London that awaited them. Rams coach Jeff Fisher kicked several camera people out so he could address his team. Britt buried his head in his lap, putting on headphones as the media approached. Several others cussed to themselves. It was an opportunity wasted, and they sensed it.
"You’re definitely going to be down after this game," Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald said. "You get your pity party today and then you get back to work. We just have to keep working. We have a long season ahead of us."