Summary and Evaluations: Recapping Los Angeles Rams Preseason Win Over Chiefs

In their second preseason game, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Chiefs 21-20 to improve to 2-0. Let’s delve into some stats and evaluate key performances.

Todd Gurley scored his first rushing touchdown of the preseason on a three yard carry in the first quarter. The Rams won the rushing battle by out-gaining the Chiefs on the ground, 139-82.
Case Keenum started again and finished the night 4 of 5 for 53 yards with a touchdown on a smart underneath throw to rookie Pharoh Cooper. Keenum was efficient and made the necessary throws to keep drive alive.
Newly acquired Quinton Coples and rookie Josh Forrest both made plays in the backfield, with Coples recording a sack that forced a fumble with the latter tallying a tackle for loss. Both are fighting for a roster spot, but have strung together performances that should help their cause.
Highly-anticipated Jared Goff went 8 of 12 for 82 yards and his first touchdown on a back-shoulder throw to Malcolm Brown
Goff struggled in the pocket tonight, rushing his throw to Brown without proper weight transfer and later fumbling on a three step drop designed to get the ball out on his third step. His slow mental processing was the catalyst for his interception against the Cowboys last week, a throw that he made too late.
The rookie passer played for the majority of the second half, failing to string together drives against Kansas City’s reserves. It’s evident he still has work to do.
Another defender fighting for a roster spot is defensive lineman Ian Seau, the nephew of the late Junior Seau. His stat line won’t catch your eye, but those are moot points in the preseason regardless. What isn’t expressed on such stat line is Seau’s swift first step that gets blockers out of position and his ability to translate speed to power.
Corner Lamarcus Joyner was ejected for fighting with Chiefs wideout Jeremy Maclin. Joyner is battling with Coty Sensabaugh for starting corner duties, although the winner will likely move to nickel.
The secondary continues to support the “work in progress notion,” surrendering too many drive-continuing throws and finishing out of position. The Chiefs first two scoring drives were 13 plays for 75 yards and six plays for 75 yards.
At least for Saturday, not all of the blame falls on the secondary as the defense allowed 390 total yards.
Receiver Bradley Marquez went down with an apparent lower-leg injury in the third quarter, a blow to a team who is still looking for a viable third-down option following the failed Wes Welker experiment. Cooper or fan favorite Nelson Spruce could emerge as an option, but someone needs to separate themselves after the Rams completed an NFL-worst 25.9 percent of their third down opportunities last year.

Schedule