LOS ANGELES—On Sunday, September 18, the Los Angeles Rams played their first home game in the Southland at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum in over 21 years, as they upset the Seattle Seahawks 9-3, behind a stout defense which put the heat on Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson all afternoon.
Pre-game, the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed a mini-concert on the field, and six former Hall of Fame Rams lit the Coliseum torch. It was RAM-demonium.
Over 90,000 jovial, exuberant and satisfied fans watched the Rams bounce back from an ugly opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, the environment at the Coliseum made all the difference. The sea of royal blue and yellow in the bleachers, the triple digit temperature and the noise were all factors in this thriller.
All this heart pounding action, excitement and fervor, for a game where neither team scored a touchdown. Rams Linebacker Alec Ogletree recovered a Seattle fumble with 45 seconds left in the game, to seal the victory and the moment in Los Angeles sports history.
“It was an amazing feeling to be out there today glad to be part of it,” said Ogletree, who rushed to the stands behind the end zone to give the ball to his family sitting in the stands. It was an outstanding moment, the indelible moment two decades in the making.
The Rams have now beaten the the Seahawks three times in a row, and four out of the last five. What’s the secret to defeat this divisional rival and juggernaut? Get to the quarterback. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson couldn’t get comfortable behind the pocket, since there seemed to be a Rams defender in his face the duration of the contest. He was sacked twice, and was limited to 254 yards passing, but they failed to reach the end zone.
Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll made his return to the Coliseum, after coaching the USC Trojans for nine seasons.
Let’s talk about the Los Angeles Rams offense, in a word, anemic. In the first two games, the Rams haven’t scored a TD. Although they haven’t spiked the ball in celebration just yet, the offense showed signs of improvement. Quarterback Case Keenum went 18 for 30, 239 yards and no interceptions. Running Back Todd Gurley was solid, with 51 hard fought yards on the ground. Wide Receiver Kenny Britt made big catch after big catch, many on crucial third downs to move the chains.
Kicker Greg Zuerline made three fields goals, all the points the Rams would need in this battle of the trenches. No. 1 pick, Jared Goff was promoted to backup QB, after being inactive for their disastrous opener in San Francisco.
After this triumphant return, we want more. Unfortunately, the Rams play their next four games on the road, before returning home Sunday, October 9, against the Buffalo Bills.