Blogging The Boys
The Los Angeles Rams began Saturday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys with the ball and things were busy right away.
As the Rams began marching down the field the Cowboys suffered a few scares. Defensive end Payton Turner went down with an apparent injury, although he did ultimately jog off of the field. Shortly after the Turner incident the Cowboys saw a cornerback exit in Robert Rochell.
A few seconds after this the Rams found themselves just past midfield and facing a 4th and 5. Whether or not they would have done so in a regular season is unknown, but Sean McVay rolled the dice and went for it.
McVay’s gamble proved to be worth it as Stetson Bennett found Xavier Smith way downfield for a catch. Brian Schottenheimer challenged the play so he clearly did not think it was a completion, but the play ultimately stood.
Payton Turner returned before the possession ended so that was great news in and of itself. Unfortunately the Cowboys wound up giving up a touchdown as Blake Corum ultimately cashed in for the Rams.
It was at this point that things got interesting as Brian Schottenheimer took over as the Dallas Cowboys offensive play-caller for the first time in an actual game, even if this is the preseason.
Unfortunately the excitement was not long-lived. Schotty dialed up three straight pass plays for Joe Milton to start things off and they all fell incomplete before the Cowboys punted.
So began another tough drive for the Cowboys defense. L.A. was marching down the field with relative ease and picked up a pass interference penalty against Markquese Bell to put themselves within striking distance for a second time in as many possessions.
Just like the first time around… Blake Corum cashed in.
Things went similarly for the Cowboys the second time around. Joe Milton managed to at least connect with Jalen Tolbert to start the drive, but it was so far back in terms of the line of scrimmage that it resulted in lost yards. Ultimately it was another three and out before Dallas punted again.
When the first quarter ended the Rams looked ready to pick up where they left off.
