Rams defeat Chiefs, 21-20, in exhibition game
Sam Farmer, Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry break down the performance of Jared Goff and Todd Gurley in the Rams’ 21-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in an exhibition game on Aug. 20.
Rookie quarterback Jared Goff took over from starter Case Keenum after two series and led the Rams to a 21-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday in an exhibition game at the Coliseum.
Goff struggled early, but managed to complete eight of 12 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. He played for three quarters.
Keenum was four for five for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Rams running back Todd Gurley made his exhibition season debut in the victory.
Gurley, last season’s offensive rookie of the year, rushed for 20 yards and a touchdown in four carries. He only played in one series.
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith completed nine of 12 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown before he was replaced by former Rams quarterback Nick Foles.
Foles was 18-of-22 for 133 yards.
The Rams are scheduled to play the Broncos in an exhibition game Saturday in Denver.
Jared Goff still playing late in the fourth quarter
Jared Goff returned for the Rams’ final series on offense and handed the ball off to Terrence Magee for three consecutive carries.
Magee did not reach a first down.
Johnny Hekker punted.
Rams defense forces fumble and recovers
Rams defensive lineman Quinton Coples forced Aaron Murray to fumble and Jabriel Washington recovered.
Murray was leading what appeared to be a promising drive after completing consecutive passes for 30 yards and nine yards.
Surprisingly, Jared Goff is taking the field once again for the Rams.
Jared Goff plays a second series in the fourth quarter
Rams Coach Jeff Fisher said before the game that Jared Goff would play about one half of football, or into the third quarter.
But the rookie quarterback has now played deep into the fourth.
His latest drive, with mostly fourth-string players, was lackluster.
Terrence Magee rushed for eight yards in three carries.
Goff completed a six-yard pass to Paul McRoberts.
The drive stalled on an imcomplete pass to Magee.
Aaron Murray replaces Nick Foles as Chiefs quarterback
Aaron Murray took over at quarterback for the Chiefs and they punted.
Nick Foles, the Rams’ former quarterback, finished 18-of-22 for 133 yards.
Rams defensive lineman Quinton Coples sacked Murray and forced a fumble. The Chiefs recovered.
Exhibition football really isn’t a thing of beauty as the Chiefs continue to pile on more penalties. They’ve now registered eight for 99 yards.
Jared Goff, surprisingly, runs back out onto the field for the Rams. The plan before the game was to let him play through the third quarter. This will be his second series in the fourth.
Jared Goff throws touchdown pass, Rams lead Chiefs, 21-20, in fourth quarter
Jared Goff finally found himself in a rhythm and completed a 10-yard pass to Malcolm Brown for a touchdown.
The scoring drive covered 67 yards in five plays.
Goff completed a seven-yard pass to Justice Cunningham and a 17-yard pass to Brian Quick to start the drive.
Brown rushed for 28 yards and five yards in consecutive carries. His second effort in both carries gained him extra yards.
Goff is seven-of-10 for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Chiefs miss field goal, but remain ahead of Rams, 20-14
The Chiefs missed a 43-yard field goal and the Rams will take over on their own 33-yard line.
This exhibition game has evolved into a festival of penalties.
The Chiefs have seven penalties for 94 yards, the Rams have seven for 37.
The Rams made a stop on third and long after what was seemingly a never-ending drive by Nick Foles.
Jared Goff will play into the fourth quarter for the Rams.
Jared Goff continues at quarterback for the Rams
At halftime Rams Coach Jeff Fisher said rookie quarterback Jared Goff would play most of the third quarter.
Goff completed his longest pass yet, a 24-yard catch by rookie Temmarick Hemmingway, but the drive still resulted in a punt.
Brian Quick, who Fisher omitted when he listed top receivers during training camp last week, dropped a pass from Goff.
Center Brian Kush was called for a false start. Kush and Goff have spent a lot of time during training camp working on their exchange.
Rams defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks injured
The Chiefs were called for a chop block to start the drive and never recovered from the penalty.
Rams defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks was injured on the play, but walked off with minimal assistance.
Nick Foles completed consecutive passes for six and 10 yards.
Jared Goff will play another series.
Jared Goff goes three and out to start second half
Jared Goff started the second half and continues to underwhelm.
The Rams went three and out.
Bradley Marquez caught a pass, for a loss of a yard, and was injured on the play. He was assisted off the field and did not put any pressure on his right leg.
Celebrity spottings at the Coliseum, if that’s what you’re into: Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, rapper The Game and actor Robert Patrick.
Chiefs lead Rams, 20-14, halftime
The Chiefs kicked a 19-yard field goal to take a 20-14 lead as the clock ticked down to three seconds in the half.
Nick Foles, the Rams’ former quarterback, was 10-of-13 for 56 yards. He completed six consecutive passes in the series.
Rams cornerback LaMarucs Joyner, who is in a position battel with Coty Sensabaugh, was ejected after he was called for a personal foul. Chiefs receiver Jeremy Maclin also was ejected on the penalty.
The secondary appears to be the Rams’ biggest weakness.
Jared Goff took a knee with three seconds remaining in the half. The rookie quarterback should play, if Coach Jeff Fisher sticks to his plan, for about one more quarter. He is one-of-two for 10 yards. It hasn’t been pretty.
Case Keenum finished four-of-five for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Jared Goff struggles in his second series
Growing pains for rookie quarterback Jared Goff.
On third down, Goff looked for an open receiver but couldn’t find one as he scrambled toward the sideline. Instead of throwing the ball out of bounds, he was sacked and fumbled out of bounds.
Johnny Hekker punted.
Goff completed a 10-yard pass to Brian Quick on the drive.
Malcolm Brown rushed for 19 yards in five carries.
Jared Goff fumbles snap, Chiefs recover and kick field goal
The Chiefs kicked a 32-yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead.
Quarterback Jared Goff took over for starter Case Keenum after two series and it didn’t start well for the rookie quarterback.
Goff’s first pass attempt fell incomplete and he fumbled the snap on his second play. The Chiefs recovered the football on the Rams’ 16-yard line.
Goff took both snaps from under center.
The Chiefs were backed up after they were called for tripping, a 15-yard penalty.
Cam Thomas sacked Alex Smith on the next play.
Rams and Chiefs tied, 14-14, in second quarter
The Rams’ secondary still needs work.
Alex Smith completed a 20-yard pass to a wide-open Jeremy Maclin for a touchdown. The score is tied, 14-14.
The scoring drive covered 75 yards in six plays.
Smith completed two deep throws, including the touchdown, on the drive.
Chris Conley caught a 37-yard pass in front of cornerback Trumaine Johnson and safety Cody Davis.
Rams lead Chiefs, 14-7, in the second quarter
Case Keenum completed an 11-yard pass to rookie Pharoh Cooper for a touchdown. The play was reviewed and the call stood.
The scoring drive went 79 yards in 10 plays and the Rams’ lead the Chiefs, 14-7.
Keenum has completed four of five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Benny Cunningham rushed for 38 yards in four carries, including a 19-yard run through the left side of the offensive line.
Malcolm Brown rushed for eight yards in two carries.
It appears Todd Gurley’s night is over after he rushed for 20 yards and a touchdown in the opening series.
Rams defense stops Alex Smith
The Rams defense forced a three and out in the Chiefs’ second series.
Defensive end Eugene Smith tackled Alex Smith on second down and Michael Brockers sacked Smith on the next play.
Pharoh Cooper fielded the punt and lost a yard on the return.
Rams and Chiefs tied, 7-7, in first quarter
Todd Gurley made his exhibition season debut for the Rams and rushed for 20 yards and a touchdown in four carries.
The Rams scoring drive went 81 yards in five plays and was capped by Gurley’s two-yard touchdown run.
Keenum completed a 20-yard pass to Kenny Britt. A second throw to Britt, deep over the middle, fell incomplete but drew pass interference from the Chiefs.
Chiefs lead Rams, 7-0, in first quarter
The Chiefs didn’t return the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but they did drive 75 yards in 13 plays to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
Running back Spencer Ware rushed for 12 yards in five carries, including a three-yard touchdown carry.
Quarterback Alex Smith was six of seven for 61 yards.
The Chiefs converted three times on third down.
The Coliseum, appearing at half capacity, was a mixture of cheers and boos. There is a lot of blue in the crowd, but also a lot of scattered red.
Case Keenum will start at quarterback for the Rams.
Rams and Chiefs kickoff in a hour
The Rams and Chiefs kickoff in an exhibition game in about an hour.
The buzz and energy around the Coliseum is down considerably from a week ago when the Rams played the Cowboys in an exhibition opener.
It’s perfect football weather, a cool 72 degrees with a slight breeze.
This will be the Rams’ final game in the Coliseum before they return to play the Seahawks in a home opener Sept. 18.
Rams vs. Chiefs: Pregame conversation with Lindsey Thiry an Gary Klein
Temarrick Hemingway making an impact at tight end
Temarrick is coming along fast. He’s had a real good couple days.
— Rams Coach Jeff Fisher
The Rams selected two tight ends in the 2016 draft class to help bolster their league-worst passing attack.
Tyler Higbee of Western Kentucky was selected in the fourth round and has been the talk of training camp.
Temarrick Hemingway was a sixth-round pick from South Carolina State. As of late, he has come on, making several outstanding catches in the last few practices.
Now arriving at the Coliseum: Jared Goff
Preview: Rams vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry preview the Rams exhibition game against the Kansas City Chiefs.