The Los Angeles Rams officially put the disastrous 2016 season to bed with a 46-9 punch out of the Indianapolis Colts at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Rams (1-0) quarterback JARED GOFF was pretty efficient today as he 21 of 29 for 306 yards, 1 score and no picks. Today’s win gave him his first NFL victory and ran his starting record to 1-7 since the 2016 season. He needed a game like this, because Los Angeles and Orange County area fans and media have been on his case in negative way since he lost (14-10) his first start against the Miami Dolphins back on November 20, 2016.
Goff was cool and calm in the pocket, he went through his progressions, and he distributed his passes to seven different offensive players. Today’s game was the type of performance that the Rams front office, Los Angeles media, and Rams fans have clamoring for from Goff.
This year—–and it was evident in this game—–he has more weapons to work with and provided those weapons can stay healthy and consistent, Goff may be on to something.
As for the Colts (0-1), they were bereft of their franchise player in quarterback ANDREW LUCK who was inactive today because of a right shoulder injury. The Colts just aren’t the same without him and today that was clearly evident.
Luck’s backup, seven-year veteran SCOTT TOLZIEN was under siege by the Rams pass rush and he also threw two pick-sixes that helped set the tone for how this game went. Tolzien finished 9 of 18 for 128 yards, no touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. He also was sacked 4 times.
The first touchdown of the game came courtesy of Rams cornerback TRUMAINE JOHNSON. Johnson on 3rd and 10 from the Colts 25-yard line, jumped in front of intended receiver TY HILTON and intercepted Tolzien’s pass. Then the defender raced 39 yards untouched into the end zone for an eventual 10-0 Rams lead with 11:10 left in the first quarter.
The Rams furthered their lead, when Gurley took a Goff handoff and willed his way into the end zone from 5 yards out. That run gave the Rams their first offensive touchdown of the 2017 season and it gave them a 17-3 lead with 9:37 left in the second quarter.
Rams rookie wide receiver COOPER KUPP (he led the Rams today in receiving today, with 4 catches for 76 yards and 1 score) scored the first touchdown of his career, when he got behind the Colts defense for an 18-yard score. That play gave the Rams a commanding 24-3 lead with 5:20 left in the first half.
The Rams went into halftime with a 27-3 lead, after GREG ZUERLEIN executed a chip shot 35-yard field goal.
The Rams really put this game away when on 1st and 10 from the Colts 25-yard line, cornerback LAMARCUS JOYNER jumped in front of Hilton and took Tolzien’s pass 29 yards to the house for a 37-3 lead. At that point it was 7:15 left in the third quarter.
Colts rookie running back and former South Florida University star MARLON MACK (10 carries for 24 yards and 1 score), scored the first touchdown of his career, which was an uncontested 3-yard run. That play put the score at 37-9 after kicker ADAM VINATIERI missed the extra point. At that point it was 11:32 left in the contest.
Then third-year running back MALCOLM BROWN got into the scoring act, when he followed his offensive linemen and his own will into the end zone from 3-yards out. By the way that was Brown’s first touchdown of his career. With 4:28 left in the game the score went to 46-9.
