Domination.

Hands up, who expected Shaun Hill to do so well?

Just when you think they’re done, they find a way to pull you back in.

In what’s increasingly becoming a Rams team with two identities, the latter showed up on Sunday, delivering all-around dominance in a 52-0 drubbing of the one-win Oakland Raiders.

Don’t let the quality (or lack thereof) of the opponent detract from this win. There were times when it looked like Oakland were beating themselves. Yes, in one case, they literally did beat themselves. (Ray-Ray Armstrong, has anyone told you you don’t play for the Rams anymore? Just checking.) Their effort level seemed fairly low from the get-go, and QB Derek Carr had no time or space to make anything happen.

But make no mistake — the score was as much a testament to Oakland’s futility as it was to the Rams’ excellence. Rookie RB Tre Mason set the tone with the running game early. QB Shaun Hill played an excellent game, not once turning the ball over, and contributing both through the air and on the ground. It was a perfectly balanced offensive assault, and credit has to go to Mason, Hill and also OC Brian Schottenheimer. Rare is the occasion where the Rams can impose their will on a team, mostly because they’re able to key in on what’s working and shut it down. Kudos to Schotty for keeping the Raiders guessing.

The defensive side of the ball was very well managed, too. The return of DE Chris Long can’t be understated, as he gave the (at times invisible) Raiders offensive line yet another player to key in on. Too many rushers means too many guys to guard means too many holes in the line means no time to pass. And by shutting down the pass game, the Rams forced the ball into the hands of RB Darren McFadden, who is quickly and consistently showing that his best days are probably behind him.

Secondary coverage? Nearly flawless. The usual suspects showed up in droves, with a pick-six from CB Trumaine Johnson breaking the 50-point barrier. The score could’ve easily been greater had the team not eased off a bit in the second half.

As an aside, the 38 points scored in the first half were a franchise record — more than anyone in the Greatest Show on Turf ever scored! — and the 52 point loss was the second worst in Raiders history.

Schotten-freude moment of the game

None! The team executed well, performed when they needed to, scored early and often, and didn’t ease up until they were well in control. And even then, they didn’t let Oakland do what they wanted to do. Although, in the literal sense of the word schadenfreude, who didn’t laugh at that Ray-Ray Armstrong hit?

Next up?

The Rams have a good chance next week of stringing together their first consecutive wins. They’ll be facing the reeling Washington Redskins, whose quarterback situation has been nearly as messed up as ours. Controversy off the field, mediocrity on the field, and a relatively untalented football team make a second consecutive win very feasible.