OAKLAND, Calif. – With a big second half, the Los Angeles Rams spoiled Jon Gruden's return to the Oakland Raiders sideline.
Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes, newcomer Marcus Peters returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown and the Los Angeles Rams spoiled Gruden's return to coaching by beating the Raiders 33-13 on Monday night.
The Rams scored on a 19-yard shovel pass from Goff to Todd Gurley in the first quarter and an 8-yard strike to Cooper Kupp in the third to win in Gruden's first game as coach of the Raiders since the end of the 2001 season.
Gruden was 38-26 in his first stint with Oakland from 1998 to 2001. Gruden was traded to Tampa Bay after that season and beat the Raiders in the Super Bowl the following year. He had been announcing "Monday Night Football" for ESPN for the past nine seasons before Oakland owner Mark Davis finally lured him back to the delight of Raiders fans.
The defending NFC West champion Rams trailed at halftime 13-10, only to dominate after the break. Goff threw for 233 yards. Gurley ran 20 times for 108 yards, and Greg Zuerlein kicked four field goals, including one of 55 yards.
Los Angeles intercepted Oakland quarterback Derek Carr three times, with Peters returning the final interception for a touchdown late in the game.
Carr completed 29 of 40 passes for 303 yards but no touchdowns. Raiders tight end Jared Cook had a huge day, catching nine passes for 180 yards.
Marshawn Lynch gave Oakland a 7-0 lead with a 10-yard touchdown run to cap a seven-play, 75-yard drive in the first quarter, but the Raiders never found the end zone again.
