Rams triumphant in long-awaited return to Los Angeles

Rams triumphant in long-awaited return to Los Angeles
By Alden Gonzalez

[www.espn.com]

LOS ANGELES -- Six days after a demoralizing loss to open their season, the Rams got the win they so badly needed -- the win this city has been waiting 22 years to experience -- on an emotional Sunday afternoon at Los Angeles Coliseum.

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Led by a stout defense, an efficient quarterback and a flawless kicker, the Rams edged the vaunted division-rival Seattle Seahawks, 9-3, in their highly anticipated home opener.

The Rams sold 91,046 tickets for their first Coliseum game since 1979. The Red Hot Chili Peppers performed a pregame concert, CeeLo Green sang the national anthem, LeBron James and Magic Johnson were in attendance, and then the Rams provided a performance worthy of all the pomp and circumstance. They limited the Seahawks -- the team many have picked to win the Super Bowl this season -- to 305 yards from scrimmage and one field goal, capturing their third straight victory against Seattle.

Case Keenum went 17-of-35 for 130 yards and two interceptions in a 28-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Santa Clara, California, on Monday Night Football, prompting incessant debate over whether No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff should immediately displace him as the starting quarterback.

With Goff on the sideline in Week 2, after being promoted from an inactive third-stringer to the primary backup, Keenum went 18-of-30 for 239 yards and zero turnovers against Seattle.

He connected with Lance Kendricks on a 44-yard strike toward the middle of the field, with Tavon Austin for 27 yards on a crossing route and with Kenny Britt for 36 yards up the sideline with a play-action pass. That helped Greg Zuerlein connect on field goals from 39, 28 and 47 yards.

But the story was the defense, particularly the star-studded defensive line.

They got to Russell Wilson constantly, producing eight quarterback hits after amassing only one on Monday. Robert Quinn closed out the first half with a fumble-producing sack in enemy territory and had another one negated by a penalty earlier in the game. Will Hayes had his own sack, while Aaron Donald added three quarterback hits and two tackles for a loss.

But the biggest stand came at the end of the game, with the Seahawks at the Rams' 35-yard line after a 53-yard hookup between Wilson and Tyler Lockett. The Rams nearly got a sack, then the crowd forced a false start and then Alec Ogletree jumped on a fumble from Christine Michael on a short pass, icing the game and delighting the city of Los Angeles.