Rams vs. Raiders takeaways: Stetson Bennett learns hard lesson

A week after Stetson Bennett narrowly avoided potentially costly mistakes against the Chargers, he learned the hard way against the Raiders.

All part of the growth process, according to rookie quarterback and coach Sean McVay.

“He’s a young player,” McVay said of Bennett, who started for the first time and played into the fourth quarter. “He keeps learning.”

Bennett, Matthew Stafford’s suspected substitute, completed 15 of 24 passes for 142 yards and rushed for a touchdown.

But he also had a pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.

“I had to take some bad moments more than I had to [against the Chargers]Bennett said, adding, “It sucks to have to do it, but eventually you have to do it…” The more times that has to happen — hopefully it doesn’t happen that often — the more you know how to keep from the bad ones responding to the good ones.”

Bennett took charge of the pass, which Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao intercepted and returned 50 yards for a touchdown. Bennett said he anticipates the recipient would take a different route.

“He ran the match that was called and I threw the fight that wasn’t called,” Bennett said, “and I paid for it.”

Aside from his touchdown run, Bennett’s best play was a 25-yard smash into receiver Xavier Smith on a timing route.

“I saw its release, checked security and just put it there,” Bennett said. “And while it was in the air I said, ‘Look, look,’ and he did it, it was right there and he made a great play.”