The Rams and Raiders met Sunday for the first time since both teams called Los Angeles home.
The Raiders, in their original home in Oakland, routed the St. Louis Rams 35-14 behind a big day by new quarterback Jeff George.
The teams’ last meeting was in 1994, a 20-17 victory by the Raiders in Anaheim. Sunday’s victory gave the Raiders a 7-2 lead in the series, which began in 1972.
A notable sidelight to Sunday’s game featured the top two choices in this year’s NFL draft.
Orlando Pace, the top selection out of Ohio State, made his first start at left tackle for the Rams after a long training-camp holdout relegated him to reserve duty.
Pace was matched at times against Oakland defensive end Darrell Russell, the No. 2 pick in the draft from Southern California.
“It was a challenge, and I think I played well,” Pace said. “I’m not that winded, but I do feel soreness setting in. I felt comfortable about what I was doing and how I was playing.”
Russell, who was bypassed by the Rams and by the New York Jets, who owned the No. 1 pick before trading it to St. Louis, finished Sunday’s game with two tackles.
