Jared Goff's first NFL start did not get off to a great start.
The Los Angeles Rams had a false start on the first play from scrimmage. Goff then threw a pair of incomplete passes as the Rams began Sunday's home game against the Miami Dolphins with a three-and-out.
It did not get much better for the Rams and the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft in a 14-10 loss at the Los Angeles Coliseum. On a rare day of rain in Los Angeles, the rookie with supposed rare arm talent did little to impress during his debut.
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Goff's first completion came on his third attempt, a 3-yard pass to rookie tight end Tyler Higbee on the second play of the second series. And his best throw came on the next play with a quick release to Kenny Britt for a 19-yard gain to the Dolphins' 24-yard line. Goff recognized a blitz and rifled a dart to Britt.
This @JaredGoff16 throw... 👌
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2016
19 yards for the first down! #MobSquad #MIAvsLA https://t.co/1u6SCMuoLO
Rams running back Todd Gurley, last year's first-round pick, followed with a 24-yard touchdown run to give the Rams an early 7-0 lead.
The offense couldn't generate much of anything following the first-quarter score. Goff was extremely inconsistent, going 17 of 31 for 134 yards while Gurley had 20 carries for 75 yards. Goff did use his feet well, scrambling away from pressure to keep plays alive and running for 11 yards on four attempts.
One reason Case Keenum was benched as the Rams quarterback was that he had 11 interceptions to go with nine touchdowns. He also fumbled five times, losing one, though he did also have a rushing touchdown this season. Goff did not turn the ball over Sunday, but the Rams needed more than 10 points.
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The Rams had been 2-1 in games without scoring a touchdown this season with Keenum at quarterback.
The Rams defense played well for three quarters, but wore down in the fourth as the offense converted just 2 of 13 third-down situations. Trailing 10-0 heading into the final quarter, the Dolphins got two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a 9-yard pass to DeVante Parker with 36 seconds remaining.
The Rams sacked Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill four times and held the Dolphins to 1 of 11 on third downs. Tannehill completed 24 of his 34 pass attempts for 172 yards as the Dolphins (6-4) were held to 240 yards of total offense. But when the Rams needed a stop late, they allowed scoring drives of 75 and 77 yards as Tannehill went 13 of 16 for 113 yards on Miami's final two possessions.
The Rams punted three times in the fourth quarter and Goff's desperation heave as time expired was knocked out of the back of the end zone by Parker.
The Rams (4-6) entered the game as the NFL's lowest scoring team with just 15.4 points per game. They were above only the Minnesota Vikings in total offense. With only 226 yards against the Dolphins, they didn't do much to help either on Sunday.