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Jared Goff looks sharp in Los Angeles Rams' win over Oakland Raiders

By The Sports Xchange
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) drops back for a pass in the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on December 4, 2016. File photo by Matthew Healey/UPI
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) drops back for a pass in the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on December 4, 2016. File photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo

OAKLAND -- On a night Jared Goff finally played like the player taken first overall in the 2016 draft, it was his backup that helped close the deal in the Los Angeles Rams' win over the Oakland Raiders.

Sean Mannion guided the Rams on a fourth-quarter touchdown drive, connecting with Josh Reynolds on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 1:11 left in the game to give the Rams a 24-21 come-from-behind win.

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Reynolds, a fourth-round pick from Texas A&M who recently returned to practice after dealing with a leg injury, capped an impressive week with the game-clinching touchdown reception.

It was a coming out party of sorts for Goff, who grew up in nearby Marin County and starred at Cal Berkeley.

Goff, the first overall pick in last year's draft but a disappointment as a rookie, was sharp while playing into the second quarter throwing for 160 yards on 16-of-20 passing with one touchdown.

More importantly, he marched the Rams to two touchdown and a field goal on three of his four drives while spreading the ball around to various receivers. Cooper Kupp was his primary target, the rookie catching six passes for 70 yards including a 23-yard touchdown strike from Goff to open the first quarter.

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The Raiders responded to the Kupp touchdown grab when quarterback Derek Carr hooked up with tight end Lee Smith on a 19-yard touchdown throw.

Carr also connected with Michael Crabtree on a 13-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Carr, making his first appearance since breaking his leg on the second-to-last week of the 2016 season, finished 7 of 9 with 100 yards and two touchdowns.

It was the Raiders' first home game at the Oakland Coliseum since the National Football League approved their move to Las Vegas.

The Raiders will play at least the next two years in Oakland before making the move to Las Vegas in 2020. Their status for the 2019 season is still unclear.

Rams running back Todd Gurley had 38 yards on eight carries, including a 2-yard touchdown run.

Rams newcomer Sammy Watkins made his debut with his new team after getting traded from Buffalo late last week. He had two catches for eight yards and just missed on a perfectly thrown pass from Goff in in the corner of the end zone.

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