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The Los Angeles Rams beat the Dallas Cowboys by three points on Sunday night, winning a close 20-17 game in large thanks to Jordan Fuller’s horrifically bad draft evaluation by NFL scouts and Malcolm Brown’s ability to do stuff around the goal line and only the goal line.
There are others to thank and moments to forget and the number one reason the Rams are 1-0 to start the 2020 season. Here are some.
The Good
Aaron Donald sack to start the game
First sack of the season for Aaron Donald
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 14, 2020
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/QnTmdNvGoB
Donald got a sack to open the game, putting him on pace for a disappointing 16 sacks.
Malcolm Brown’s two touchdowns
Malcolm Brown PUNCHES it into the end zone!
— LA Rams Nation (@RamsNationCP) September 14, 2020
7-0 Rams pic.twitter.com/JqSOtUvgDE
Malcolm Brown scores his second TD to put the @RamsNFL on top. #RamsHouse
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2020
: #DALvsLAR on NBC
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/ynDmpGSOcL pic.twitter.com/pB0zNvpQvY
Brown has scored seven rushing touchdowns since the start of last season, which is more than Alvin Kamara and Joe Mixon. The $50 million extension is next.
The Offensive Line
Cris Collinsworth: “This is a different-looking Rams offensive line.” And the Eye Test shows it, too. That narrative gone already?
— John Frascella (@LegendSports7) September 14, 2020
There was praise for the Rams offensive line, which is better than the words used to describe the Rams offensive line last year.
Jared Goff 1st quarter: 9-of-11, 105 yards
Jared Goff drops an absolute DIME to rookie wide receiver Van Jefferson pic.twitter.com/n2hJo2D8Fb
— LA Rams Nation (@RamsNationCP) September 14, 2020
And yet I chose a play from the second quarter.
Related: Van Jefferson 32-yard catch
Van Jefferson not looking like a rookie out there @VanJefferson12 @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/jPqdoBI4wb
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 14, 2020
Related: Robert Woods
.@RobertWoods gains 30 yards on the screen pass! #RamsHouse
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2020
: #DALvsLAR on NBC
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/ynDmpGSOcL pic.twitter.com/YANVZRBx88
Jordan Fuller tackle
Jordan Fuller was not about to let him have this first down @j_fuller4 @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/fKDGzsYenT
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 14, 2020
I would like to remind all the writers out there that headlines like “Fuller House” will be played out before this article makes it to print, which it does. It prints. If we’re going to be creative as Jordan Fuller continues to dominate the headlines, let’s at least consider using Fuller from Home Alone, which also takes place in a house with a large family and situations.
The Bad
Sam Sloman missed a chip shot field goal
I don’t have a video of this. Everyone comes out of this OK though.
Jared Goff interception + missed the Kupp
.@ChidobeAwuzie intercepts Jared Goff! #DallasCowboys
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2020
: #DALvsLAR on NBC
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/ynDmpGSOcL pic.twitter.com/ccK6DMbASF
a reminder Jared Goff decided to run for ~4 yards instead of throw the ball to a wide open Cooper Kupp with a shot to ice this game pic.twitter.com/3CMlaCZO8D
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) September 14, 2020
Malcolm Brown falls one-yard shy
When Goff tossed the ball to Brown on third-and-three and under four minutes to go, it felt from the pitch that this was not going to gain three yards. There was a clear difference on Sunday night between a starting all-purpose back and Brown at moments like this one.
The Difference
Brandon Staley’s debut
In his Rams debut, Brandon Staley's defense allowed fewer yards than in any game by LA last season. 244 against an offense projected to be among the league's elite.
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) September 14, 2020
If the offensive line plays well and the defense improves on its number 10 ranking in DVOA last season, the Rams will have opportunities to win games. And that’s often the goal in football.