Resilience was the theme of Sunday's preseason opener between the Rams and Cowboys. After throwing four interceptions, Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett rebounded by throwing the game-winning touchdown pass while leading the home team to a 13-12 win over Dallas.
Trailing for most of the second half, the Rams won the game after driving 70 yards on 13 plays on their final possession. The winning score came on 4th-and-goal as Bennett scrambled around before finding tight end Miller Forristall in the end zone.
Despite the turnovers, Bennett was able to lead the game's only drive that ended with a touchdown. Each of the Cowboys' scores came courtesy of Brandon Aubrey, who made four of his five field goal tries. All but one of the Cowboys' scoring drives took place with former first-round pick Trey Lance under center. Lance threw for 188 yards on 25 of 41 passing.
Here's our biggest takeaways from Sunday's showdown.
With Lance, it's important to evaluate him not as a former No. 3 overall pick but simply as a young quarterback who is still finding his way in the NFL. When looking at Lance's Sunday under that lens, there was plenty to like.
After a slow start (he went 8 of 17 in the first half), Lance found somewhat of a rhythm as the game progressed. He completed 17 of his 24 attempts in the second half while directing two scoring drives and two other drives that could have led to points. Lance was also the Cowboys' leading rusher with 44 yards on six carries.
Lance had some passes that were off the mark, like his incompletion to Jalen Moreno-Cropper on 4th-and-goal at the end of the first quarter. But for the most part, it was a positive step for Lance, who is still in the midst of his first full season with the Cowboys.
It had been nearly a full year since Bennett played in a live game, and his rustiness showed for the most part. But in fairness to him, Rams coach Sean McVay eschewed a conservative game plan that would normally be in place for a player with such little experience.
McVay let Bennett air it out, and the result was a mixed bag of nice plays and ugly ones that on Sunday came in the form of four picks. But to his credit, Bennett didn't lose his confidence as he calmly led his team on a game-winning drive that included more high percentage throws.
Bennett's touchdown was a microcosm of his day. After getting himself into unnecessary trouble (he initially had running back Boston Scott open underneath but missed him), Bennett still managed to keep his eyes downfield. That, coupled with his athleticism, led to him throwing the game-winning score.
With both teams' established wideouts inactive, several young receivers took advantage of their increased reps. For the Cowboys, those wideouts were Jalen Brooks and Kelvin Harman, while the Rams enjoyed solid performances from Jordan Whittington and Sam Wiglusz.
Brooks' 43-yard catch from Cooper Rush (who only played in one drive) on the Cowboys' opening drive set up Dallas' first score. Harmon caught both of his targets that included a nifty snag on a throw from Lance in the second half that helped set up Aubrey's fourth and final field goal.
A sixth-round pick out of Texas, Whittingham caught six passes for 74 yards that included a 30-yard reception on the game's opening drive. Wiglusz, a fellow rookie from Ohio who went undrafted, made a couple of tough catches as he looks to snatch a spot on either the Rams' 53-man roster or their practice squad.
It was a preseason game, so it's hard to make general statements about specific units given the amount of starters who didn't play on both sides. That being said, there was a lot to like in terms of the defense that was on display by both teams, especially in the secondary.
Specifically, Cowboys third-year safety Markquese Bell had a big game with nine tackles as well as the Cowboys' first pick of Bennett. Cornerback Eric Scott Jr., safety Julius Wood and rookie linebacker Brock Mogensen also had picks.
While they didn't get any turnovers, the Rams' defense made up for it by not allowing the Cowboys to reach the end zone. Los Angeles largely accomplished that by pressuring Lance on possession downs. One example of the Rams' success in those situations was when linebacker Zach VanValkenburg sacked Lance on fourth down early in the fourth quarter.
On fourth and goal, Bennett hit Miller Forristall for a touchdown on fourth and goal as the Rams took a 13-12 lead over the Cowboys. Crazy show of fortitude for Bennett, who shook off four picks by leading a 13-play, 70-yard, game-winning drive.
Rams win 13-12
The Cowboys appeared to have a fifth pick, but a penalty on Dallas wiped it out. The Rams have responded by driving past midfield, but have suffered an injury as rookie WR Sam Wiglusz took a hit from behind which led to a penalty.
You read that right. The Cowboys have now picked off Bennett four times after rookie LB Brock Mogensen intercepted the Rams' backup QB deep in L.A. territory with 4:42 left.
The Rams' defense held again, though, as Aubrey kicked a fourth FG to extend Cowboys' lead to 12-6 with 2:52 left.
After attempting a 65-yarder, Aubrey drills a much easier 38-yard attempt gave the Cowboys a 9-6 lead with 6:08 left. The drive's most impressive play was Lance's 12-yard completion Kelvin Harmon, who made a balletic catch.
Lance hasn't been great, but he's been pretty good overall, especially for a QB who hasn't had a ton of reps over his career.
Long is an understatement, as Aubrey was unable to connect on a 65-yard FG try, as the score remains tied at 6.
The Cowboys quickly get the ball back, though, with Julius Wood recording the Cowboys' third pick of the day. Bennett again received great protection, just didn't read the defense properly.
For a second straight possession, the Cowboys came up empty after going for it on fourth down. On fourth and six, Lance's low percentage pass was broken up as it never really had a chance at being completed. Lance had a good drive up to that point; he completed each of his five pass attempts on the drive before the incompletion. He also had a 13-yard run.
Neither team was good on third down; Dallas was 3-7 and L.A. was 2-8. But the Rams were 3-3 on fourth down compared to the Cowboys' 1-2 on fourth down. The Cowboys' unsuccessful fourth down attempt was Lance's overthrow in the end zone.
Dallas' second pick of Bennett -- this one by Eric Scott Jr. -- prevented the Rams from re-gaining the lead late in the first half. The Cowboys' pass rush hasn't provided much pressure, but its secondary has made up for it by staying disciplined and reading Bennett's eyes on those picks.
It's 6-6 at halftime from LA.
The Cowboys once again matched the Rams with a FG, a 36-yarder by Aubrey with 4:51 left until halftime. It was a nice drive by Lance, who completed four of his first five passes on the drive before misfiring on his last three. The Rams' pass rush largely contributed to those incompletions; Lance simply threw it away on third down when the Rams' defensive interior created pressure.
With Bennett still under center, the Rams marched 76 yards and 14 plays and took a 6-3 lead on a 39-yard FG by Karty. The drive included another fourth-down conversion and consecutive completions of 10-plus yards for Bennett (to Xavier Smith and Tyler Johnson).
LA RB Boston Scott has enjoyed a nice start with 41 yards on nine carries. He had a 14-yard on the Rams' last drive that got his team into FG range.
Like the Rams, the Cowboys went for it on fourth down in the first quarter. But unlike L.A., Dallas did not convert their attempt when Lance misfired pass intended for Jalen Moreno-Cropper in the back corner of the end zone. The incompletion was a negative end to what was a solid drive for Lance, who had a 19-yard several plays earlier. Dallas unable to cash on in Bell's pick.
Score tied 3-3 after 1.
Cowboys DB Markquese Bell picked off Bennett's third down pass deep in Rams territory, giving the Cowboys nice field position to start their second drive. Bennett overthrew the pass but give Bell credit for capitalizing on it.
Trey Lance in the game for the Cowboys.
Backup QB Cooper Rush led the Cowboys on a 7-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a Brandon Aubrey 30-yard field goal. The drive's big play was a 43-yard completion from Rush to Jalen Brooks. Rico Dowdle had three carries for 14 yards on the drive.
With Stetson Bennett at quarterback, the Rams drove 61 yards and 12 plays on the game's first drive and took a 3-0 lead on Joshua Karty's 28-yard field goal. Bennett converted a fourth-and-1 on a nifty rollout run on the far side. He completed passes of 30 and 12 yards to Jordan Whittington before the Cowboys' defense stepped up in the red zone.
Welcome to our preseason coverage of Cowboys-Rams. This is the final Week 1 preseason game, and it should be a good one between two teams that went to the playoffs last year. Several starters will be out, but there are several rookies to keep an eye on today. We've also got former first-round pick Trey Lance starting for the Cowboys.
Be sure to keep it locked here for updates, highlights and analysis throughout the game.
