The Rams enter Week 3 as the only NFL team without a touchdown.
They’re taking baby steps.
After not reaching the 20-yard-line against the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams crossed into the red zone once against the Seahawks.
They scored all of their points on Greg Zuerlein field goals, from 39, 28 and 47 yards.
The closest the Rams came to scoring a touchdown was in the second quarter, when they had first and goal at the four-yard line. But running back Todd Gurley was tackled for a four-yard loss, Tavon Austin was tackled for a two-yard loss after a catch, and quarterback Case Keenum threw an incomplete pass short of receiver Kenny Britt in the end zone.
Play-action is Case Keenum’s best friend
Keenum completed 18 of 30 passes for 239 yards and did not commit a turnover.
The Rams are still struggling to get Gurley going, but even moderate success in the running game opens up the passing attack.
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After Gurley’s first carry, Keenum faked a hand-off on the next play, connecting with Austin for 11 yards.
Late in the first half, Gurley caught a screen pass and then carried the ball on the next two plays. Keenum then faked a hand-off and connected with tight end Lance Kendricks for 44 yards to set up a field goal.
“Anytime you stick the ball out there and have [Gurley] fake, and he does a great job of that stuff and with protections, you can say he’s the reason that a lot of those passes down field are working,” Keenum said.
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Todd Gurley is not playing like Todd Gurley
At least not like the Gurley who rushed for 128 yards or more in his first four starts last season.
Gurley, the reigning NFL offensive rookie of the year, has eclipsed 100 yards only once in his last 10 games.
Against the 49ers, Gurley rushed for 47 yards and averaged 2.8 yards per carry.
On Sunday, he gained 51 yards and averaged 2.7 yards per carry.
Is it Gurley? The lack of a feared playmaker at quarterback? The offensive line? The play-calling?
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The Rams need to figure it out before they travel to Tampa this week.
Robert Quinn remains a force
Quinn showed no ill effects from back surgery that forced him to take it slow during off-season workouts and training camp.
The two-time Pro Bowl defensive end was credited with his 51st sack after he chased down Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and forced him to fumble the ball out of bounds at the end of the first half.
Quinn also had a 12-yard sack earlier in the quarter, but he did not get credit because of offsetting penalties called against other players.
Middle linebacker suits Alec Ogletree
Ogletree made nine tackles, deflected a pass and forced and recovered a fumble to clinch the victory.
The fourth-year pro still could work on being more disciplined.
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Rams Robert Quinn celebrates his sack on Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson but the play was nulified by offsetting penalties.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams Michael Brockers makes a tackle on Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls without his helmet at the Coliseum Sunday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, left, and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher shake hands after the game.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams receiver Kenny Britt watches head coach Jeff Fisher kiss the forehead of his daughter Ava after the game.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Bet they wish they had Carson Wentz right about now.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams Mark Barron (26) causes a fumble as Alec Ogletree recovers the ball from Seahawks running back Christine Michael late in the 4th quarter to preserve the Rams win.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams Mark Barron (26) causes a fumble as Alec Ogletree recovers the ball from Seahawks running back Christine Michael late in the 4th quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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James Corden performs with Rams cheerleaders between quarters.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams quarterback Case Keenum is sacked by Seahawks Cassius Marsh who was called for a penalty for grabbing the face mask in the 4th quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back Todd Gurley is brought down by Seattle Seahawks defenders in the fourth quarter at the Coliseum on Sept. 18. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll reacts to a penalty in the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett hauls in a long pass in front of Rams defensive back Troy Hill late in the fourth quarter on Sept. 18. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams fans cheer for their team against the Seahawks. The Rams won their home opener, 9-3.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Seahawks quarterback Russell Willson barely gets a pass off as Rams Aaron Donald tackles him in the 4th quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams quarterback Case Keenum is sacked by Seahawk defenders in the 3rd quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams receiver Tavon Austin makes a catch in front of Seahawks Bobby Wagner.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams head coach Jeff Fisher watches a play from the sidelines against the Seahawks.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams cornerback Troy Hill breaks up a pass intended for Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson in the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Seahawks running back Christine Michael tries to get away from the Rams defensive pursuit in the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams quarterback Case Keenum is brought down by Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark after a short gain in the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams defensive end William Hayes celebrates after dragging down Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls for a loss in the first quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams defensive end Robert Quinn forces a fumble by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the closing seconds of the second quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams receiver Tavon Austin is tackeld by Seahawks Frank Clark, center, and Kam Chancellor in the after an eight-yard gain in the first quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams safety Maurice Alexander puts a hit on Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse in the second quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The Rams’ Lance Kendricks makes a catch in front of the Seahawks’ Mike Morgan during the second quarter of a Sept. 18 game at the Coliseum. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin tries to get around Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman in the second quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams cornerback Troy Hill is called for pass interference as he defends against Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett in the second quarter Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams running back Todd Gurley looks for room to run against the Seahawks in the second quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams coach Jeff Fisher walks along the sideline in the fourth quarter.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams players prepare to take the field before a game with the Seahawks at the Coliseum.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams fans cheer during the NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, September 18, 2016 in Los Angeles.
(Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)
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A Rams Melonheads fans cheer during the NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.
(Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)
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Jack Youngblood, from left, Eric Dickerson, Orlando Pace, Marshall Faulk, Jackie Slater and Tom Mack are honored during a Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony.
(Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)
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Rams owner Stan Kroenke talks with NBA susperstar LeBron James before the start of the game.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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LA Rams owner Stanley “Stan” Kroenke stands during a hall of fame ceremony.
(Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)
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Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kiedis performs before the first Rams home game at the Coliseum.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea, let, and lead singer Anthony Kiedis perform before the first Rams home game.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Flea and Anthony Kaedis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform before the Rams-Seahawks game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The Melonheads pose before the Rams-Seahawks game on Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Rams home opener is the first regular season game for the team in Southern California in 22 years.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams fans walk by the Metro Expo Line light rail before the start of the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks at the Coliseum on Sunday.
(Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)
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Rams fans party and play parking lot football before the Rams-Seahawks game on Sunday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams fan Lance Miller barbecues chicken before the Rams-Seahawks game.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Grant Mogford peers out of the window of his party bus before the Rams-Seahawks game at the Coliseum.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rams fans and a lone Seahawks fan gather for a tailgate party before the game.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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A police officer sets up outside the Coliseum before the Rams-Seahawks game.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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A lot attendant poses with an old sign offering parking for $180, after the price was lowered to $140, near the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday.
(Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)
He was penalized for unnecessary roughness after he hit a sliding Wilson in the first quarter. The penalty helped keep alive a scoring drive.
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But Ogletree made the play of the game when he hit running back Christine Michael with less than a minute left and forced him to fumble.
“To make that play, that’s what he does and he’s shown it before,” Coach Jeff Fisher said. “Someone needed to make a play and he got near the ball and he made the play.”
The secondary needs cornerback E.J. Gaines … and soon
Coty Sensabaugh is not the answer, nor is Troy Hill.
Both players can help the Rams defense but not as the starting cornerback opposite Trumaine Johnson.
Gaines has been sidelined because of what has been described as a thigh issue.
The Rams need him to return to solidify a spot that was targeted by the 49ers and Seahawks.
Tampa Bay and quarterback Jameis Winston will almost surely do the same.
Gary Klein covers the Los Angeles Rams for the Los Angeles Times. Before that, he covered USC’s football program and athletic department. He began working for The Times in the San Fernando Valley edition and has reported on high school, college and pro sports. He grew up in Southern California and graduated from Cal State Northridge.
