INGLEWOOD, Calif. – When the Rams signed safety Kam Curl during the 2024 offseason, one of his traits they loved most, and that later showed up in training camp that same summer, was his range.
Last season, that showed up with a career-high nine passes defensed. This season, it manifested in the form of two critical interceptions – the first multi-interception game of his career – in Los Angeles' 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. It also marked his first interceptions since his 2020 rookie season.
"It's huge," Curl said. "That's how you start the game fast and then finish the game in the end to win the game. I just thank (defensive coordinator Chris) Shula for putting us in that call and putting me in position, and thank God for giving the ability to make the play."
Curl's picks provided perfect bookends to L.A.'s thrilling victory.
His first came in the first quarter, on the very first drive of the game, swiping a deep ball down the right side sideline intended for Colts wide receiver A.D. Mitchell. The Rams converted that takeaway into a 42-yard Josh Karty field goal for an early 3-0. Curl tracked the ball starting from the left hash mark at the Rams 46, and was near the sideline and the Rams 20 marker when he undercut quarterback Daniel Jones' deep pass for the pick.
His second came in the fourth quarter following the go-ahead touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Tutu Atwell. Covering the deep left half of the field, he had less ground to cover that time, once again undercutting a Jones deep ball – this time for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. – giving L.A.'s offense the ability to kill the remaining 53 seconds and seal the victory.
"He's been a stud," head coach Sean McVay said postgame. "The guy, he's a grown man. He made play after play and then obviously made the pick to be able to get the offense the ball back and ultimately close the game out. What a stud, so glad to have him. I love Kam Curl."
It was a part of a strong day for Curl overall, who also tied for the team lead in tackles with nine and led the defense with three passes defensed.
"I feel real comfortable (in this defense), man," Curl said. "We got real good coaches with AP (assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant), (safeties coach Chris) Beake, (assistant secondary coach) Mike (Harris), Shula. McVay be in the meetings, too. And just the guys we got in the secondary, like guys we can really trust. (Safety Quentin) 'Q' Lake back there, we talk a lot, (safety) Kam Kinchens, and the corners, like, we all gel together real good, and we trust each other a lot while we on the field."
