http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/14/sports/football/los-angeles-rams-san-francisco-49ers-shutout.html 2016-09-13 16:20:52 Back in Los Angeles, Rams Lose in a Rare N.F.L. Shutout There were only two shutouts in the 2015 N.F.L. season, but the Rams started 2016 with a 28-0 loss to the 49ers on Monday. === In football, the shutout is the ultimate failure: 60 minutes and not a point to show for it, not even a measly field goal. In college play, the shutout is fairly common, from Georgia Tech’s notorious In the pros, the shutout is rarer, making the first game played by the Los Angeles Rams “Well, that wasn’t what we expected,” Rams Coach Jeff Fisher In this decade, there have been Monday night’s game was the first Week 1 shutout since 2009, when the Rams, then playing in St. Louis, lost to Seattle, 28-0. Those Rams went on to finish 1-15. Still, there have been worse results: In recent years, three teams have been shut out while allowing at least 50 points. The grim roll of ignominy: 2014, Rams 52, Raiders 0; 2013, Seahawks 58, Cardinals 0; 2009, Patriots 59, Titans 0. The Rams gained 120 yards passing and ran for 65 yards Monday night. They recorded 10 first downs and were 3 for 15 on third-down conversions. The game was so brutal that the highlight might have been when a fan ran on the field and was tackled by security. (The radio announcer Kevin Harlan narrated it memorably.) Quarterback Case Keenum was 17 for 35 for 130 yards and two interceptions (and, needless to say, no touchdowns). It was the second lowest completion percentage of the week, ahead of only the His performance is sure to amplify calls for the team to turn to the No. 1 overall draft choice, Jared Goff of Cal. At this point, Goff is still No. 3 on the depth chart, behind Keenum and Sean Mannion, and he was inactive for Monday’s game. The Eagles, who selected Carson Wentz of North Dakota State No. 2 over all, started Wentz in Week 1 with positive results. “He plays to play, and I want him to play,” Fisher If they do turn the team over to a 21-year-old rookie, the Rams certainly can’t score fewer points.