The Rams shook up their pass catching corps in the offseason, signing tight end Jared Cook away from Tennessee and trading up to draft receiver Tavon Austin No. 8 overall.
The efforts of both players staked the Rams to an early lead at Denver on Saturday night.
Austin made his impact on special teams, returning a punt 81 yards to the Broncos’ three-yard-line. He fielded the punt on the right side of the field, then broke left to daylight.
On the next play, the Rams spread the field. Cook lined up in the slot, drawing linebacker Danny Trevathan in coverage. Cook won off the line, and quarterback Sam Bradford lofted a pass that the tight end leaped and caught for the Rams’ first touchdown.
The Broncos would tie the game on the next series. However, if the Rams have indeed have improved their ability to trade punches with strong offensive clubs like Denver, this could be an interesting season in St. Louis.