{"id":49144,"date":"2018-09-11T05:02:55","date_gmt":"2018-09-11T09:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=49144"},"modified":"2018-09-11T05:02:55","modified_gmt":"2018-09-11T09:02:55","slug":"los-angeles-rams-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/09\/11\/los-angeles-rams-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles Rams Defense Strong Second Half Spoils Jon Gruden’s Return"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the off-seasons the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> and Oakland Raiders<\/a> had, it would be hard for any NFL fan to ignore this matchup. In Oakland, talk centered on\u00a0Jon Gruden’s<\/strong> return, no Khalil Mack<\/a><\/strong>, a new coaching staff and a plethora of new players on the roster. And for Los Angeles, they had the highest scoring offense last season and acquired the likes of Marcus Peters<\/a><\/strong>, Aqib Talib<\/a><\/strong> and Ndamukong Suh<\/a><\/strong> to create one of the most dangerous teams on paper. With all the new faces on the field, it was the Rams who came out victorious by a score of 33-13. Let’s take a look at how the Rams came away with a win on Monday night.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Rams Defense Shuts the Door on Oakland in the Second Half<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Struggles Early On<\/h3>\n

It was not all easygoing for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips<\/strong> in the first half. The Raiders marched the ball 75 yards on the opening drive and Marshawn Lynch<\/a><\/strong> found the end zone on a 10-yard run. The Raiders would eventually rack up 224 total yards of offense in the first half and the Rams showed no signs of being able to slow them down.<\/p>\n

Derek Carr<\/a><\/strong> was getting the ball out quickly and efficiently and the Rams had no answer for tight end Jared Cook<\/a><\/strong>, who finished the game with nine receptions and 180 yards. Lynch was having a lot of success running the ball as well thanks to a great push by the offensive line. Oakland Colisuem got loud as it looked like Gruden’s offense was outsmarting Phillips’ defense.<\/p>\n

Flags, Flags and more Flags<\/h3>\n

Neither Gruden nor Sean McVay<\/strong> will be happy about all the penalties that were called on their teams Monday night. The two teams combined for 19 penalties that totalled up 225 yards, eight of which were called on the Rams for 70 yards. Some of those penalties stalled promising drives, one of which was a holding call on John Sullivan<\/a><\/strong> that drove them out of field goal range and forced them to punt in the third quarter. The Rams averaged only 6.5 penalties in 2017. McVay expects his veteran squad to be better in that category.<\/p>\n

Flipping the Switch in the 3rd Quarter<\/h3>\n

The Raiders were held to just eight plays and 17 yards total in the third quarter as the Rams defense began to flex their muscle. Lynch was being held to minimal gains and the pass rush of Aaron Donald<\/a><\/strong>, Michael Brocker<\/strong>s<\/a> and John Franklin-Meyers<\/strong> were starting to make Carr uncomfortable in the pocket.<\/p>\n

On the other side of the ball, McVay’s offense began to pick up the tempo. This caused a lot of confusion on the Raiders defense. Gurley was gashing a tired Raiders defensive line. Wide receivers Cooper Kupp<\/a><\/strong> and Brandin Cooks<\/a><\/strong> were starting to get behind the Oakland secondary. These two things really opened up the field for\u00a0Jared Goff<\/a><\/strong>. The Rams scored a field goal and touchdown to take a 20-13 lead into the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n

Littleton, Peters Seal the Deal<\/h3>\n

The Raiders had two possessions late in the game to try and come back down two scores, but both drives ended in interceptions. After a huge chunk play to Cook over the middle, Carr made a bad decision.\u00a0He floated an easy interception right to the hands of Cory Littleton<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0He was sitting in zone coverage underneath Jordy Nelson<\/a><\/strong>. After the Rams settled for a field goal, the Raiders still had another shot to drive down and score. However, Peters jumped a pass that was intended for Cook and took it all the way back for six points, officially putting an end to any potential Raiders comeback.<\/p>\n

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Marcus Peters<\/a> did the Marshawn Lynch<\/a> to cap off his pick-six of Derek Carr. #LARvsOAK<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1BSOxXRA6B<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) September 11, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Scoring Recap<\/h3>\n

First Quarter<\/h4>\n