Rams exploited a weakness that the Dolphins had exposed

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ST. LOUIS — The last time the Raiders looked this bad, a coach got fired. And Sunday’s 52-0 loss to the Rams actually looked a lot like that 38-14 loss to the Dolphins in London in September.

St. Louis stole a page or two from Miami’s playbook (a game that resulted in Dennis Allen’s removal) by throwing on its first nine plays, almost all of them quick, short passes to the side.

“They did more of it than we would have thought,” Oakland defensive tackle Antonio Smith said. “They took Miami’s game plan and used it. They did a lot on the edges and forced us to make open-field tackles, and they have some good playmakers that make guys miss.”

Shaun Hill completed eight of those first nine passes, with Tre Mason taking a short screen pass, beating Smith to the sideline and then racing to a 35-yard touchdown. Hill then completed 4 of 5 passes on the next scoring drive, and the rout was on.

Besides the Raiders looking slow and not being able to tackle in space, give ex-49ers quarterback Hill credit.

ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 30: Shaun Hill #14 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at the Edward Jones Dome on November 30, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Raiders 52-0. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) less ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 30: Shaun Hill #14 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at the Edward Jones Dome on November 30, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the ... more Photo: Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images Photo: Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Rams exploited a weakness that the Dolphins had exposed 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“That was Shaun doing a really good job,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said. “We had a lot of runs called, and Shaun had the option to throw the ball out sideways. I think he avoided six runs in the first two or three series.”

Ferguson solidarity: Five Rams players stood with hands up before trotting onto the field during pregame introductions, in a show of solidarity with protesters in nearby Ferguson, Mo.

After Mason scored on an 8-yard run in the fourth quarter, he and Kenny Britt raised their hands together.

“Everything about the situation touched me because it could have happened to any of us,” said tight end Jared Cook, who joined four receivers in the pregame gesture. “Any of us are not far from the age of Michael Brown and it happened in our community.”

Brown, 18, an unarmed African American, was shot to death by police Officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. A grand jury’s decision last week not to indict Wilson in Brown’s death has sparked protests across the nation.

Security was beefed up at the game, with members of the National Guard toting firearms.

Rough debut: Raiders kick returner George Atkinson III had a rough debut, letting one ball bounce off his chest (teammate Kenbrell Thompkins recovered) and bobbling another before returning it to the 4-yard line.

To make room for Atkinson, receiver Denarius Moore was inactive for the second game this season. Moore led the team in receiving touchdowns his first three seasons but is in danger of being cut when Rod Streater returns from a foot injury next week.

Bitter? Rams guard Rodger Saffold aggravated a left shoulder injury in the second half and didn’t return. The Raiders, remember, pulled a free agent contract from Saffold because he failed a physical relating to the shoulder, and he re-signed with St. Louis. After the game, Saffold, dressed in black (suit, shirt, tie), told reporters he was “going to a funeral for Raiders. R.I.P. I wish we scored 76.”

Briefly: Raiders tight end Brian Leonhardt suffered his second concussion in two weeks on a kickoff return in the first quarter and did not return. Right tackle Menelik Watson left in the second quarter with an ankle injury … Mason finished with 117 yards rushing on 14 carries and 47 yards on three catches. “I want to be the best player to ever touch a football,” the rookie said after the game.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.