The Los Angeles Rams beat the Raiders 33-13 on Monday night. L.A. started slow in primetime, allowing a Raiders touchdown on the home team's opening drive, and managing little on offense for much of the first half. However, the Rams only trailed 13-10 at the break, thanks to an interception by safety John Johnson and plenty of Raiders penalties.
Head coach Sean McVay's offense then came out of halftime having made some key adjustments, outscored the Raiders 10-0 in the third quarter, and never looked back.
Here are seven stats that stood out in the Rams' opening game of the season:
1. GURLEY MOVES UP IN RUSHING RANKS
Running back Todd Gurley moved up in the Rams' record book on his first carry of the game on Monday night.
Gurley took his first handoff of the season for two yards in the Rams' opening three-and-out drive of the game, needing just one yard to take sole possession of eighth place in the Rams all-time rushing list. Gurley entered Monday night tied with former Ram Paul Younger.
Gurley finished his night with 108 yards rushing, 39 yards receiving, and one touchdown.
2. RAMS DEFENSE HAULS IN THREE PICKS
The Rams defense had three interceptions in the opening game of the season, disrupting any Raiders' offensive momentum.
Safety John Johnson made the Low Angeles' first interception of the season, picking off quarterback Derek Carr in the endzone in the second quarter. Johnson's clutch pick was followed by a Cory Littleton interception in the third, and then by Marcus Peters' 20th pick of his career — the evening's nail in the coffin for the Raiders.
Peters' interception capped Monday's victory and caused an eruption of support from the Rams' sideline. With two minutes remaining, Peters snuck behind Raiders tight end Jared Cook and picked off quarterback Derek Carr's pass. The Oakland native ran 50 yards to the end zone with plenty of flair for his first interception and pick-six as a Ram. Peters now has 20 interceptions in 46 career games-played.
The Rams were one of five teams in 2017 that led the league in interceptions returned for touchdowns with three pick-sixes.
3. THIRD QUARTER SCORES
The Rams led the league in point differential in the third quarter (+78) in 2017, putting up 119 points and allowing only 41.
McVay's offense continued its third quarter success on Monday, outscoring the Raiders 10-0 in the quarter. Quarterback Jared Goff connected with second-year receiver Cooper Kupp for the Rams' second touchdown of the game on 1st-and-goal from the Oakland eight, to take a 20-13 lead as the quarter came to an end.
The Rams would build on the third quarter momentum, scoring another 13 points in the fourth.
4. ENTER: BRANDIN COOKS
Monday's game marked the debut for a handful of Rams offseason additions. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks made some the most noise of the new faces who played against Oakland. Cooks led all Rams receivers with 87 yards on five catches.
Cooks also drew two substantial pass-interference calls in the game, collectively moving his offense 87 yards down the field. The second of the two penalties was translated into points, with a Greg Zuerlein field goal near the end of the second quarter.
5. ZUERLEIN'S STRANGE NIGHT
Zuerlein was money last season, hitting 95-percent of his field goal attempts, good on 38-of-40 tries.
The Rams special teams' "old faithful" uncharacteristically missed his opening field goal of 2018, sending a 46-yard try wide-right in the second quarter. It is of note, though, that Zuerlein's miss came from the Oakland A's infield dirt.
Zuerlein then hit his next four attempts of the night — his longest from 55 yards.
6. SUH ELLIPSES CENTURY-MARK
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh started his 100th consecutive game on Monday night — the most among all active defensive linemen.
The veteran newcomer had a handful of tackles in his Los Angeles debut, finishing with four tackles and one quarterback hurry. Suh's quarterback hurry came in the fourth quarter, on the same play that ended in Peters' pick-six.
7. MONDAY NIGHT WIN
The Rams are in the win column on Monday Night Football for the first time since 2004. Entering tonight's game, the Rams were just 2-9 playing on Monday Night Football since the 2004 season, when they beat both the Buccaneers and Eagles.
The Rams will play on Monday Night Football for a second time this season on November 19 in Mexico City against the Kansas City Chiefs.
