Los Angeles Rams 21, Kansas City Chiefs 20: Preseason Game 2 Recap

The Los Angeles Rams moved to 2-0 in the 2016 preseason by beating the Kansas City Chiefs 21-20 tonight.

That’s the least important aspect of the entire affair.

The foremost aspect of importance was the performance of Rams rookie QB Jared Goff, a performance that in a word could be described as being...something. You had the early fumble. You had some misplaced throws. Heck, even the touchdown throw wasn’t on the money, requiring a pretty amazing one-hand bobblejob by RB Malcolm Brown.

Goff’s final line of 8/12, 82 yards and a touchdown isn’t overwhelming given that he played nearly three full quarters and was able to close out the game in favor of Sean “The Earth Human” Mannion who excelled against the Cowboys’ depth a week ago.

Ultimately, it’s just experience. Clearly, Goff needs it with the regular season opener just more than three weeks away. But the bottom line is that Goff isn’t blowing the lid off the Coliseum. Perhaps that’s the disappointment in itself.

Otherwise, there were various ups and downs on both sides of the ball.

Brian Quick struggled yet again. I find it somewhat unbelievable I’m still writing that sentence in August of 2016.

Malcolm Brown is making the case for regular season playing time. Obviously with Todd Gurley as your RB1, there’s not a ton to be had. Tre Mason had 75 carries in 2015, 59 of those coming after JTG took over the starting gig. Certainly Brown could take up a portion of those in 2016 if his preseason performances continue to meet the mark.

Less inspiring, the Rams’ first- and second-string defenses yet again looked vulnerable. Chiefs QB Alex Smith was 9/12 for 137 yards and a touchdown, helping the Chiefs out to 20 first half points. This a week after the Dak Prescott show...

Yes, it’s still preseason, and there’s no legitimacy to freaking out over one or two games. It is, though, a legitimate concern at this point when CBs Trumaine Johnson and Coty Sensabaugh are getting beaten.

So it is. Two games in the books. Two games to go until it matters.

The Rams have plenty to work on. It shows.