Stetson Bennett IV’s NFL arc bends toward a fresh test: can the two-time CFP champion translate college success into meaningful Rams snaps in a crowded quarterback room? Bennett showed poise in the Rams’ exhibition tune-up, completing 16 of 24 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, including a pinpoint deep ball to Xavier Smith for 39 yards that sparked LA’s scoring. With Matthew Stafford’s back issues lingering and Jimmy Garoppolo in the mix, the QB3 race in Los Angeles remains wide open heading into roster cuts. Bennett’s maturity and decisiveness stood out, hinting at a compelling bid to land on the 53-man roster if he continues sharpening progressions under pressure. The storyline we’re tracking isn’t just performance, but whether a preseason moment can seed a real-season opportunity for a player who arrived in the NFL via a winding route and now has a chance to write the next chapter.

Beyond Bennett, the Rams’ quarterback room features Stafford’s absence, Garoppolo’s familiarity, and Bennett’s growth in back-to-back preseasons. The Cowboys game provided a tangible data point: a veteran-heavy defense with a rookie vault. If Bennett keeps flashing the same decisiveness and shows improvements in his pocket presence and pre-snap reads, he could press for a Week 1 role as a true backup, with Garoppolo handling the early-season duties unless Bennett stuns again in the preseason. The drama isn’t just about one drive; it’s about how rapidly Bennett can convert effort into consistent NFL-level decision making and how the Rams value a young quarterback with Georgia pedigree who could become a valuable depth piece for fantasy rosters that prize late-round stashability and possible late-season upside.

LA Rams opened their preseason with a 31-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium, and multiple rookies flashed. Blake Corum sprinted for 32 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, hinting at a bigger role behind Kyren Williams as the Rams try to protect Williams’ long-term workload. Jarquez Hunter added 41 yards on 11 carries, Cody Schrader 59 on five carries with a 25-yard grab, and Corum’s emphatic burst sits as a promising fantasy note for deeper Rams rosters.

Stetson Bennett led four Rams TD drives, completing 16 of 24 for 188 yards with two scores, and showed poised decision-making in pressure moments. He’ll start next weekend’s matchup against the Chargers, while Josaiah Stewart stepped into the edge-rusher mix with a sack, boosting an already improving Rams pass rush. Pooh Paul ran the defense with leadership, and Cam Lampkin’s pick in the end zone stood out on a night of solid layers on both sides.

Kicker Joshua Karty produced 37 yards on a field goal and four extra points; punter Ethan Evans boomed an 81-yard boot. Matthew Stafford watched from the sideline as he returns to practice, working through a back issue, with plans to practice this week as he readies for his 17th season. The Rams appear to be building credible depth at several positions, with Bennett’s confidence, Corum’s burst, and multiple other youngsters pushing for roster spots and potential fantasy value as the regular season nears.

Bennett flipped last year’s Dallas setback into a quick-start rhythm, guiding two opening Rams drives as Los Angeles built a 24-14 preseason win over the Cowboys.

Xavier Smith supplied the Rams’ top target day with several sharp catches for a game-high 55 yards, while Blake Corum punched in two rushing TDs to anchor LA’s backfield. Dallas’ edge defender Donovan Ezeiruaku flashed with a 33.3% win rate on rushes, and Stetson Bennett IV answered the challenge with markedly improved pocket poise. TJ Bass locked down 29 pass-blocking snaps with zero pressures, setting up a stronger offensive floor. PFF will finalize grades tomorrow, but the early data and snap counts hint at a Rams offense with cleaner decisiveness and a more efficient sequence in 2024.

Los Angeles opened the 2025 slate with a dominant preseason win, 31-21 over Dallas, sprinting ahead early and never fading. Stetson Bennett produced one of the best games of his young pro career, tossing for 188 yards with two touchdowns as a non-starter-friendly Rams attack moved the chains with 22 first downs and 181 rushing yards. Blake Corum found the end zone twice on rushing touches, while Cody Schrader punctuated a late push with a 9-yard TD grab from Bennett. Xavier Smith logged 55 receiving yards on three catches, helping the second-unit offense look poised. Cam Lampkin’s third-quarter pick was the defensive play of the night, flipping field position and delivering momentum to a stingy Rams unit. The Cowboys were mostly shut down on offense, with Joe Milton at the helm and a stagnant attack for much of the night. Rams possession topped 33 minutes, a testament to the diverse, complementary attack, even when starters rested. The Rams head into Week 2 of the preseason with a potential Stafford return on the horizon as they prepare to visit the Chargers for joint practices and a Saturday tune-up.

For fantasy aficionados, the night offered a preview of likely depth-chart battles. Bennett’s efficiency and two-score ceiling, Corum’s red-zone punch, and Schrader’s playmaking in space stood out, while Lampkin showed a knack for big plays on defense. The Rams’ depth—especially at WR with Smith and Stoops contributing—adds intrigue for late-round speculative picks. On the Cowboys’ side, Milton’s leadership in the third-string opportunity offered a glimmer of upside in deeper leagues, though the overall offense left room for improvement as they pivot toward a tougher August slate.

A Cowboys preseason snapshot centers on a rested offensive line with Tyler Booker sidelined and others limited, underscoring Dallas’ push for depth. Coach Brian Schottenheimer mixed first-team looks with competition at guard, while Booker regains first-team snaps after a brief shuffle. Micah Parsons attended but stayed off the field, highlighting the hold-in in contract talks and ongoing rehab. On the Rams’ side, Stetson Bennett IV connected with Xavier Smith as Blake Corum punched in the opening score, and Xavier Smith flashed behind Dallas corners while Andrew Booth made a notable stop. The night also featured hamstring concerns for Robert Rochell and a quick return for Payton Turner, testing the Rams’ and Cowboys’ early depth rotations.