The 27-year-old quarterback was a Carolina Panther on Monday, but by Thursday Night Football, he was leading his new team, the Los Angeles Rams, to a last-minute victory that might kick-start some momentum for the reigning Super Bowl champions.

At 3-9, the Rams had the worst 12-game mark for a team that won the league championship the previous year, but Mayfield might have helped them turn a corner, and celebrations in the locker room after the game showed that he made an instant impact on his new teammates.

Just 48 hours after he was claimed by the Rams off waivers, Mayfield took his new team from its own 2-yard line with 1:45 to go and trailing by six points.

Eight plays later, the Rams scoring a game-winning touchdown (and decisive extra point) to beat the Las Vegas Raiders, 17-16.

Mayfield was the center of celebrations in the locker room, with a video shared by the Rams on TikTok showing he had become an instant hero.

The quarterback was thrown the game ball amid the triumphant scenes and went on to show his delight at being with the Rams.

He then shared a few words of inspiration before cheers rang out.

The joy was shared by Rams fans, who commented on the video, with one writing: “He’s hasn’t been given this type of respect in a longggg time.”

Another added: “So happy for Baker, crazy story here”

A third commented: “He needed a healthy environment and good coach!! Good luck to baker he gots a lot of potential”

A fourth exclaimed: “That’s fantastic. Love Baker, love his drive and attitude. BOOMER!!!”

Mayfield had practiced with the team—which is without injured starting quarterback Matthew Stafford—just once before taking the field.

“I don’t know if you could write it any better than that,” Mayfield said after the game in which he was 22 of 35 for 230 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. “Obviously, we’d like to be a little bit more stress-free. But it’s a pretty damn good story. I’ll be honest with you. It’s special.”

Rams head coach Sean McVay was equally happy, as the win broke the team’s six-game losing streak, and he praised Mayfield’s work.

“You can’t say enough about Baker Mayfield and the leadership, the resilience, the competitiveness, McVay said. “And what a quick study. He just got here five minutes ago and figured out a way to do some special things tonight.”

Mayfield said that having to learn a number of offensive systems during his career helped. McVay is his seventh head coach during his five seasons as a pro.

“I used to not necessarily complain about the fact that I had that many offensive systems and having to learn that, but it came in handy when having to learn a crash course and being able to relate certain things,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield added that he hopes that this will be a new start and a chance to shine.

“I’m just looking to be the best version of me possible,” he said. “Learning and improving in the system, trying to take away from a great group of guys that have had a lot of success.

“Obviously, the injuries, it’s tough, but just trying to learn from everybody here. Take in as much as I can and let the pieces fall where they may. I can’t control the future. I know I have the next four games here. Trying to build on that and just be the best version of me and improve.”

Do you have a tip on a sports story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the NFL? Let us know via entertainment@newsweek.com.