Turf Show Times
Quarterback Stetson Bennett led the Los Angeles Rams to a victory over the Dallas Cowboys to kickoff the 2025 preseason. LA come out on top 31-21. It was their highest scoring total on the offensive side in the preseason in the Sean McVay era.
Let’s dive into the individual performances and analyze who stood out in positive and negative ways. This is the first installment of “Winners & Losers” on the season.
Confident. Calm. Productive. Under control.
Those are words that perfectly describe Bennett’s first preseason game of 2025. It’s evident he’s turned a corner over training camp and from his first two exhibition series, and coaches—such as offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur—have complimented Bennett throughout the summer.
Bennett finished with 16 completions on 24 attempts for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He added three rushes for 11 yards with his legs. The third-year quarterback completed multiple deep shots to receiver Xavier Smith, and his lone interception came on a slightly underthrown pass to Konata Mumphfield. Bennett and Mumpfield were out of sync for most of the game.
A few noteworthy individuals who did not appear in this game, which suggest they will have active roles when the regular season begins:
Smith was LA’s best receiver on Saturday evening. Knowing Whittington is effectively safe, it’s difficult to imagine the Rams keeping more than five receivers with the safe four being Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, and Whittington. That likely leaves one spot for Smith and Mumpfield to battle out, though it’s within the realm of possibility both make the team.
For right now—because Smith can help on special teams and in the return game and because of their performances on Saturday—Smith has the advantage.
Stewart secured his first NFL sack on Joe Milton in this game. He secured the edge in the run game and made his presence felt early. It seemed Stewart was the most consistent pass rusher against Dallas, and there is a competition for playing time after the departure of Michael Hoecht.
I’ll be honest in my analysis that I don’t think this was a “wow” outing from second-year back Blake Corum; however, it’s difficult to keep a multi-TD effort off the “winners” list. Corum was effective on the ground, though he did drop a pass from Bennett that forced the Rams to go for it on fourth down. Corum finished with nine rushes for 32 yards (3.6 avg).
Cody Schrader was easily the most effective back. He helped seal the game following a Cowboys score by ripping off multiple long runs. He accumulated 59 yards on five carries (11.8 avg) and added a nine-yard score through the air.
Fifth-round rookie Pooh Paul was the green dot guy...
