EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Rams have performed well on offense and defense, scoring 20 points in the second quarter to take a 27-10 lead over the Giants. Here are a few notes from the first half.

EARLY TAKEAWAY LEADS TO POINTS

The Rams had a lead within the first five minutes of the game after the defense forced a turnover.

The Giants started with the ball and quickly moved into Rams' territory, but defensive tackle Aaron Donald put a stop to any scoring threat. On 3rd-and-9 from the Los Angeles 45, Donald strip-sacked Manning and outside linebacker Connor Barwin was there to recover the loose ball.

L.A. started the extra possession at its own 48-yard line and it didn't take long for the visitors to score.

Running back Todd Gurley began the drive with a 36-yard run to the left, showing good patience and burst through the line of scrimmage. He followed that with a nine-yard run to set the Rams up well in the red zone.

On 3rd-and-2, quarterback Jared Goff hit tight end Tyler Higbee in the middle of the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown.

ANOTHER TAKEAWAY

Middle linebacker Alec Ogletree picked up the Rams' second takeaway of the first half with a forced fumble.

On 1st-and-10 from the L.A. 48, Ogletree got through the line of scrimmage to stuff running back Wayne Gallman Jr., and when he got there was able to punch the ball out. Donald was there to recover at midfield for another extra possession.

HAVE A PLAY FOR 3RD-AND-33?

The Rams do.

After an offensive pass interference penalty and a chop block penalty left the Rams with 3rd-and-33 early in the second quarter. Faced with not getting points after the Ogletree takeaway, Goff instead hit wide receiver Robert Woods with a screen pass on the left side. With good downfield blocking, the USC product cut the ball across the field for a 52-yard touchdown. 

According to ESPN Stats and Info, that's the first time a team has scored a touchdown when needing at least 33 yards on a series of downs since 2001.

It's also the first touchdown of the season — and as a Ram – for Woods. 

BOMBS AWAY

Goff hit a pair of deep passes in the first half, one of which went for a touchdown.

The first was to tight end Gerald Everett. On 3rd-and-5 from the L.A. 48, Goff hit the rookie down the right side for 44 yards, setting up a Zuerlein field goal.

Later, Goff connected with wide receiver Sammy Watkins on a 67-yard touchdown. With the Rams going no huddle on 2nd-and-6 from the L.A. 33, Watkins used his speed to break away from the New York secondary, pulling in the pass with just a few yards to go before reaching the end zone.

Watkins' catch was his longest of the season, and his third touchdown of 2017.