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Rams-Cowboys: The Good, the Bad and the Difference

What went right, what went wrong, and who made the difference?

By Kenneth Arthur
Dallas Cowboys v Los Angeles Rams Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

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

Donald got a sack to open the game, putting him on pace for a disappointing 16 sacks.

Malcolm Brown’s two touchdowns

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

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

And yet I chose a play from the second quarter.

Related: Van Jefferson 32-yard catch

Related: Robert Woods

Jordan Fuller tackle

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

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

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.

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