Stetson Bennett shows up at the right time; conclusions from the Rams-Cowboys game

THE Rams played against the Dallas Cowboys in the preseason opener on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

Observations from a game the Rams won 13-12, in dramatic fashion:

Quarterback Stetson Bennett passes late

Four interceptions, several of them a direct result of his poor decisions.

Stetson Bennett He didn’t let mistakes bother him.

On fourth down, with 11 seconds remaining, he was released from the pocket, ran to his left and twisted his hips to throw a pass across his body, finding tight end Miller Forristall for a six-yard touchdown that tied the score and set up the game. Josh Karty’s game-winning conversion kick.

Bennett didn’t stop running after making the pass. He continued past the Rams sideline before turning and looking at McVay and his teammates.

“You’re kind of floating,” Bennett said of the immediate aftermath of his big play. “That was really cool.”

Yes, it was just a preseason game.

Read more: Time to prove it to Rams QB Stetson Bennett in preseason opener vs. Dallas

But it was a triumphant end for Bennett, playing for the first time since struggling in the final pre-season game in 2023.

He completed 24 of 38 passes for 224 yards. If not for a defensive penalty early in the game, he could have finished with five interceptions.

But when he needed to make the biggest play of the game, he did it.

“I thought I played well – and then I made a bunch of bad decisions, if that’s possible, right?” he said. “But I think in the end, I’m proud that we fought and were resilient in the end.”

Bennett was at his best when offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur had him throw for passes or run for a first down on a bootleg play.

The Rams drafted Bennett, who led Georgia to two national titles, in the fourth round in 2023 to back up and possibly succeed Matthew Stafford. But Bennett was sidelined last season and removed from the team after being placed on the non-football injury/illness list before the season opener. He returned to off-season training, acknowledged that he had worked on mental health issuesand returned to a quarterback room that now features Stafford, new backup Jimmy Garoppolo and Dresser Winn.

Bennett said last week he was “excited to get back to playing football” and looking forward to the opportunity against the Cowboys.

He wasted no time in showing this.

Bennett led a 61-yard scoring drive that ended with a Joshua Karty field goal for a 3-0 lead. Bennett completed four of five passes, including two to rookie receiver Jordan Whittngton for 43 yards.

But on the second play of his second series, Bennett’s pass over the middle was intercepted by safety Marquese Bell.

He recovered and directed a 76-yard drive that Karty capped off with a 39-yard field goal for a 6-3 lead.

Although the interceptions began to mount — “occupational hazards,” coach Sean McVay said of the first two — Bennett got the ball back with 2 minutes, 49 seconds remaining.

He directed a 13-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a bang.

“It’s just about, ‘Hey, how do you guys get together? How do you react in the middle of this,'” McVay said. “And how do you know that, ‘Hey, all I can do is the next right thing. And that’s exactly what he did on that trip.’”

Whittington understands quickly

Whittington, a sixth-round draft pick out of Texas, showed he can contribute to a receiving corps that includes stars Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, and veterans Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell.

Whittington caught six passes for 74 yards. He was particularly effective at crossing routes and excelled on fourth down.

During the first trip, Whittington caught a 13-yard pass on a crossing pattern. He also caught another pass over the middle, broke a tackle and ran to gain 30 yards to score a field goal.

“I was very grateful,” Whittington said of his thoughts before his first professional game. “I dreamed of being here and seeing my name on the back of an NFL jersey – it was a lot.

“I remember before the game I was praying and I thought: ‘God, if this life only exists in my dreams, don’t wake me up’”.

Beginners and best beginners sit down

McVay showcased established playmakers, other starters and projected big contributors. Likewise, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy.

Among the Rams’ draft picks on the sideline were edge rusher Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske, the Rams’ first- and second-round selections. They were joined by running back Blake Corum (third round pick).

Rookie safety Kamren Kinchens (third round) started and made a tackle. Defensive lineman Tyler Davis (sixth round) made two tackles. Whittington and center Beaux Limmer (sixth round) also started.

Kyren Williams is the starting running back, Corum is the likely backup and Ronnie Rivers is a reliable third option.

But the Rams learned last year from Royce Freeman that a veteran on the roster can contribute after injuries.

Read more: Rams look better in joint practice with Cowboys, but offensive line is fired again

Boston Scott has the opportunity to replace Freeman as a veteran.

Scott ran for 68 yards on 15 carries.

Defensive rotation players get work

With starters like Kobie Turner and Bobby Brown not playing, veteran Larrell Murchison and second-year pro Desjuan Johnson led a front that mostly neutralized backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.

Safety Jason Taylor II had a team-high six tackles. Linebacker Jacob Hummel made defensive signals and made three tackles.

Karty starts special teams

The Rams drafted Karty in the sixth round, confident the former Stanford standout could help them overcome last season’s shooting woes.

Karty did not disappoint.

He kicked a 28-yard field goal in the first quarter to give the Rams a 3–0 lead. His 39-yard field goal in the second quarter put them ahead 6-3.

And his conversion shot with four seconds remaining won the game.

“It was really loud after the touchdown,” Karty said. “I haven’t really experienced that…much in my career,” he said of preparing for the shot. “But it was the same normal thing — just trying to get the guys together, get them ready for the extra point instead of celebrating the touchdown. Make sure we don’t run out of time on the game clock and then, yeah, you know, same old thing.”

Playing for the first time under the NFL’s new starting rules, Xavier Smith had two returns for 47 yards.

Ethan Evans averaged 46.5 yards on two punts.

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This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.