The St. Louis Rams fell to 0-2 after a 16-14 loss to the Oakland Raiders and backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.
The Rams’ offensive stars got off to a hot start in the first half—quarterback Sam Bradford went 9-for-11 with a touchdown, and Steven Jackson quickly crossed 100 all-purpose yards. But Bradford and the Rams’ injury-diminished receiving corps couldn’t connect in the second half, and despite another last-second comeback and another touchdown reception from Mark Clayton they couldn’t put things together fast enough in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders went to Bruce Gradkowski after an ineffectual first half from Jason Campbell, and while he was hardly any better statistically he presided over their second-half scoring. Darren McFadden’s continued resurgence was the big story—he carried the ball 30 times for an incredible 145 yards. Sebastian Janikowski kicked two field goals, including the eventual difference-maker, after missing one in the first half.