NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Los Angeles Rams Preseason: 3 Takeaways vs Raiders

By Greg Archuleta

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 19: Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders catches a thirty one yard pass over Kevin Peterson #47 and Cody Davis #38 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of their preseason NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 19: Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders catches a thirty one yard pass over Kevin Peterson #47 and Cody Davis #38 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of their preseason NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 01: Jared Goff, shown last season vs. the Arizona Cardinals, shined in his two quarters of play against Oakland, Goff completed 16 of 20 passes for 160 yards with one touchdown. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 01: Jared Goff, shown last season vs. the Arizona Cardinals, shined in his two quarters of play against Oakland, Goff completed 16 of 20 passes for 160 yards with one touchdown. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. The 2017 offense will average more than 14 points a game

The Rams first play from scrimmage featured a Todd Gurley run for a loss of one yard. That was the first-team offense’s only resemblance to the 2016 Rams offense on the night.

Goff showed a mastery of the short passing game, finding several receivers in stride and moving the chains consistently in the first half. He completed 16 of 20 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown.

He also showed good touch on his two deep throws. He completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide-open Cooper Kupp for the game’s first score on Los Angeles’ first possession. He lofted a pass to newly acquired Sammy Watkins in the end zone in the second quarter, but the ball bounced off Watkins’ arm.

L.A. had to settle for a field goal on that possession for a 17-14 second-quarter lead.

Goff had just one gaffe during his play. He didn’t feel pressure when the Raiders’ Khalil Mack came free for a first-quarter sack. Mack burst through the Rams double-team of tight ends Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett. Goff was looking downfield and did not get rid of the ball before the oncoming Mack took him down.

Gurley had positive yardage on the rest of his eight carries, gaining 38 yards and scoring one touchdown. The offensive line did a much better job creating running lanes for him than during the Cowboys game. When it didn’t, Gurley still managed to find yardage on his own. He kept the Rams’ initial drive alive by finding three yards on his own on a third-and-1 to prevent a three-and-out.

The line also gave Goff adequate protection.

The Rams also did a much better job holding onto the football after fumbling five times against the Cowboys. The only miscue came on a Michael Thomas fumble after a head-to-head collision on a third-down reception. The Rams recovered for a first down.

Next: NFL 2017: The 50 most untradeable players

Reynolds capped the Rams’ offensive outburst with his game-scoring touchdown. He beat his defender down the right sidelines, but quarterback Sean Mannion’s ball was underthrown. Reynolds adjusted, shielding off the defender with his body and making the grab for the score.

The Rams preseason certainly became more interesting after Saturday night.

Home/Los Angeles Rams