Perkins goes down fighting in NFL starting debut loss to Chiefs

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Posted on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, 1:18 am

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By Jerry Ratcliffe

Photo: Los Angeles Rams

Bryce Perkins was faced with a challenging task in his first NFL start on Sunday, when the former Virginia star quarterback took on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road. Perkins and the LA Rams fell short, 26-10.

“It was a loud atmosphere,” Perkins said. “Learn from it, go on to next week.”

If taking on KC at Arrowhead Stadium — one of the most intimidating venues in the NFL — wasn’t enough of an obstacle, Perkins was also missing the Rams’ top two wide receivers (Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson II) in the loss. Still, he managed to help keep LA close, despite throwing two fourth-quarter interceptions.

Perkins, who was filling in for injured starter Matthew Stafford, cut KC’s lead to 20-10 earlier in the quarter (14:56) when he capped a 14-play, 75-yard drive, with a 7-yard scoring strike to Van Jefferson, drawing the Rams to within 20-10.

Photo: Rams Wire

“Bryce did enough things in the first half to be able to keep the chains moving with his legs,” said Rams coach Sean McVay. “But just not quite enough, but I am appreciative and grateful for what the guys did.”

Perkins, who broke numerous offensive records for former Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall, finished his debut as an NFL starter completing 13 of 23 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 44 yards (led the team) on nine attempts.

If nothing else, Perkins impressed Kansas City defensive end George Karlaftis, who told reports afterward, “[Perkins] can make you pay, especially with his feet. He can throw it really well. He’s going to ge a really good player. He gave us some problems, but we were coached up on him.”

Perkins was his usual modest self after the loss.

“I just wanted to do my part and battle myself to keep the drive going, keep the play going,” Perkins said. “That’s just the competitiveness in me to just try to move things forward and I didn’t get it, but I wasn’t going to go down without fighting.”