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So many good things to talk about, but I think the best part is that there's football again - and it was a dominant preseason win with little injuries (thus far)!
It's way too early. . . I am really only thinking week one right now, but maybe the discussion can fan out into other matchups through the season (Seattle hot dog)
But right now focusing on Houston.
I like to try to look at matchups and cities and see if certain cities have specific meal they are know for (ie Buffalo - beef on weck, as mentioned seattle dog, cincinatti chili, etc) and try new recipes.
Rams week one is verses Houston.
In my short search I saw that Houston is well known for Thai/Vietnamese food.
We are thinking I'll make a good pho broth and we'll also make some Banh Mi.
SiriusXM: Offers both home (Rams) and away (Cowboys) audio feeds through satellite radio and the SiriusXM app
Storylines & Players to Watch
With starters expected to sit (up to 35 players likely sidelined), this game is a proving ground for bubble players across key positions: secondary, edge rushers, linebackers, and the offensive line
5 Spotlighted Rams Players (to keep an eye on):
WR Konata Mumpfield – Impressive rookie standout with strong route-running
RB Jarquez Hunter – Auburn speedster with explosive running ability
OLB Josaiah Stewart – 2025 draftee from Michigan aiming to make defensive waves
Tonight’s preseason game is at 7 p.m. ET. Tune in on KABC-7 in LA or KTVT in Dallas, or stream via NFL+. Listen on ESPN LA or SiriusXM. Highlights to watch include rising rookies and players battling for roster spots across the field.
Rams Winners & Losers: Stetson Bennett turns the corner
2025 brings a newly confident and productive Stetson Bennett for Rams
by JB Scott
Aug 9, 2025, 7:35 PM PDT
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.
Winners
Stetson Bennett, QB
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:
Jordan Whittington, WR
Tyler Davis, DT
Omar Speights, MLB
Emmanuel Forbes, CB
Xavier Smith, WR
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 (defensive signal caller) to start the game. He was active and finished with four tackles. While Nate Landman and Omar Speights seem entrenched at starters, there could still be a realistic path to playing time for the rookie over the back half of the season. It’s worth noting that Paul battled a calf injury at the start of training camp.
Offensive line at-large
Bennett had plenty of time to throw, and even when rushers broke through he was athletic enough to mitigate the rush. While the ground game didn’t produce many big gains early, the offensive line played a key role in closing this game out. Kudos to the big guys up front.
Losers
Shaun Jolly, CB
Shaun Jolly was flagged for defensive pass interference that was one of Dallas’ biggest offensive plays in the first half. He often looked loose and grabby in coverage while AJ Green and Cam Lampkin had better evenings.
Konata Mumpfield, WR
Mumpfield was one of the most hyped players by the team coming into this game. Reportedly he’s been playing well in training camp. However, there was a miscommunication between the rookie receiver and Bennett on a long pass attempt where Mumpfield stayed vertical on his route while the quarterback through inside towards the post. Mumpfield also had a brutal drop over the middle of the field and showed a disappointing lack of fight on Bennett’s interception.
It was a rough debut for the rookie receiver.
Rookie Ty Hamilton—taken in the fifth round—seemed to struggle in run defense. There wasn’t much to complain about on defense but his performance was one of the few negative developments that stood out. He’ll have two more games to demonstrate that he should have a role on the regular season roster in what is becoming a crowded defensive interior group.
Nick Hampton, EDGE
Hampton was easily LA’s worst EDGE defender in this game. I thought all of Stewart, Brennan Jackson, and Keir Thomas had better outings (in that order). Hampton in theory could be a situational pass rush specialist, but he’s done little to command such a role in what is now his third season.
After only one preseason game, and vs the terrible cowboys no less, I see a few conundrums. The Rams are deep. Staring roster aside, there is gonna be a logjam at nearly every position group when it comes to finalizing the 53. There is a good argument for carrying an extra FILL IN THE BLANK, but which group do you go LIGHT on?
QB: it starts here with me. Most teams who do NOT suck carry only 2 QBs on the roster. Can the Rams stash Bennet another year? He couldn’t get a shot as a #2 anywhere else? I think he could right now.
WR: we know the big 4 who are shoe-ins, but do the Rams carry 5 or 6 to keep both Xman and Mump? What does that do to our return candidates?
CBS: Witherspoon, DW, Durant, and possibly Forbes. Now what? Are the Rams carrying 5 or 6?
Safeties: same situation as CBs. How many are the Rams gonna carry? Lake, Kinchen, Curl, are probably locks. Don’t see cutting McCollough. That’s 4 right there.
The Rams are gonna be releasing guys from a he secondary who will get snapped up.
TEs: Are the Rams really gonna carry all 4 and risk losing talent at another position? I would be disappointed to see Allen relegated to the PS.
RBs: Schroeder is not gonna survive on the PS. The Rams are gonna have Corum and KW.
Can the Rams stash their rookie on the PS until someone gets hurt? Every other team passed on him more than once in the draft. What if he comes out of camp “ready”? The Rams would have to keep him on the 53.
ILBs: they have 5 and they cannot keep more than 4, maybe only 3. Who’s going to the PS?
I know the idea of Reeder starting repulses some folks, but I don’t think the formula for this group is that simple. Pooh and Dolac are rookies who will see very little time, if any, vs true starters in these preseason games.
OL: THIS is the biggest problem, IMO. After the projected starting 5, the Rams have some tough choices. Of all the position groups, some guys cut will be immediately picked up.
Just how many can the Rams carry? Easily 10. Ironically, if AJ had been healthy all along, the Rams would not have picked up 2 Tackles. I don’t want to cut the “future” of Leveston, Limmer, and Dedich; but, McClendon, and Acuri will be picked up and Lampkin has already turned heads. These cuts are gonna hurt.
So just who are you willing to part with or at least risk on the PS?
Will be good enough to lead the way for the Rams this year? Will the offense be a more ground and pound play action type offense if JG winds up being the Qb? Somewhat similar to the Whiners style of offense under Garoppolo. If Garoppolo plays the majority of the season what is the Rams record and how much does your excitement/expectations drop off? I was extremely stoked coming into the season only to be kicked in the nuts with whats happening with Stafford.
