The St. Louis Rams pounded the Kansas City Chiefs from their first two offensive series of the game Saturday night, winning the Governor's Cup handily and getting banner performances from offensive anchors Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson to win by a final score of 31-17. Bradford threw for two touchdowns and Jackson picked up 49 yards on seven carries in the victory.
Robert Quinn picked up a sack, but Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles, and the Chiefs' first team saw some success before getting pulled; Cassel was 13-for-18 for 142 yards, while Charles picked up 17 yards on three carries and added two receptions for 18 more, allaying some fears that he'd be unable to recover his burst speed after an ACL tear.
But the night belonged to Bradford and Jackson, who perked up the Edward Jones Dome sort-of-faithful by doing some of the things Rams fans have wanted to see for two years. Bradford was 6-for-9 for 102 yards and two touchdowns, to long-time target Danny Amendola and last year's preseason star, Lance Kendricks; Jackson averaged seven yards a cary, even as some fantasy watchers remain convinced he's done at 29 years old.
We've written more on Steven Jackson's big game and more still on Sam Bradford's solid night, if you can't get enough. And why should you? We're still a long way from the 2012 NFL season, but for one night, at least, the St. Louis Rams came all the way back from their ugly torpor.