The Rams returned to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 35-23 in Week 3.
The Rams survived their first true test of the season behind clutch takeaways and quarterback Jared Goff's stellar day through the air.
Here are seven stats that stood out in Week 3 against the Chargers:
1. STREAK ENDS
Quarterback Philip Rivers hit wide receiver Mike Williams in the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter, snapping the Rams' streak of six consecutive quarters holding its opponent scoreless.
Entering Week 3, the Rams led the league in opponent points per game, allowing just 6.5 per game through two weeks.
Rivers finished his day 18-for-30 passing with a season-low 226 yards and 2 touchdowns.
2. WOODS LEADS RECEIVERS
Wide receiver Robert Woods led all receivers in Week 3. Woods caught 10 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns against the Chargers defense.
Woods' performance marks the fourth time he has recorded over 100 yards receiving in less than two seasons as a Ram. Last season, Woods scored five touchdowns on 781 yards receiving.
3. FICKEN'S DEBUT
Kicker Sam Ficken made his 2018 debut on Sunday. Ficken stepped into his starting role this week with All-Pro kicker Greg Zuerlein expected to miss several weeks due to a groin injury suffered pregame last Sunday.
Ficken seemed a bit shakey in his debut. The new kicker on the block sent his first kickoff of the year out-of-bounds, awarding Rivers and the Chargers' offense optimal field position in their second drive of the game.
Ficken then missed a 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half.
Ficken was perfect in point-after situations, hitting on all five tries.
4. SUH'S SACK
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh earned an eruption from the crowd as he drove Rivers into the turf for a loss of four late in the third quarter.
Entering Sunday's game, both Suh and fellow defensive tackle Aaron Donald were in search of their first sacks for the season.
Suh was busy against the Chargers, logging three tackles, two quarterback hits, and one pass deflection in addition to his sack.
Suh now has 52.5 career sacks in 129 games.
5. CLUTCH TAKEAWAYS
The Rams held the Chargers at arms-length on Sunday with a pair of timely takeaways.
Immediately following Goff's interception in the second quarter, linebacker Cory Littleton stepped up big on special teams and took the ball right back. Littleton blocked a Drew Kaser punt on the Chargers' four-yard line, after the Chargers went three and out deep in their own territory. The blocked punt was recovered in the end zone by safety Blake Countess, resulting in the Rams' third touchdown of the day — extending their lead to 15.
Littleton blocked two punts in 2017.
Later on, corner Aqib Talib stepped up big for the Rams' defense in the second half — forcing Bolts receiver Keenan Allen to fumble just around midfield. Talib's takeaway halted the Chargers' drive, maintaining an eight-point lead early in the second half.
Littleton's presence was felt one more time late in the fourth quarter as the Chargers were knocking on door in the red zone.
Littleton forced running back Austin Eckeler to cough it up as he moved upfield following a short completion from Rivers. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh recovered the fumble, putting the ball in Goff and running back Todd Gurley's possession for the rest of the game.
6. SPREADING THE WEALTH
QB Jared Goff distributed the ball well once again on Sunday. Goff hit four different receivers for at least 50 yards.
WR Robert Woods
Tar 11, Rec 10, Yds 104, TD 2
WR Cooper Kupp
Tar 6, Rec 4, Yds 71, TD 1
WR Brandin Cooks
Tar 8, Rec 7, Yds 90
RB Todd Gurley
Tar 6, Rec 5, Yds 51
7. GOFF'S BIG DAY
Goff completed 29-of-36 passes against the Chargers, good for an 80.5-percent completion rate.
Goff's best throw of the game came early in the third quarter. Goff scrambled from the pocket before stepping through and throwing a strike, leading wide receiver Cooper Kupp in stride toward the end zone.
Kupp muscled past a shoestring tackle and trotted in for six, extending the Rams' lead to 15 and completing Goff's second of three touchdown passes on the afternoon.
Goff's 354 yards was just one yard shy of his career best. In 2017, Goff threw for 355 yards in the Coliseum against the Texans.
