The Los Angeles Rams opened their 2025 preseason with a 31-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys Saturday night at SoFi Stadium, a game defined by Stetson Bennett’s sharp passing and a late injury scare for Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton. Bennett completed 16 of 24 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, while Blake Corum punched in two short-yardage scores, giving the Rams an early lead they never relinquished. For Dallas, Milton threw for 143 yards and a touchdown before leaving with elbow soreness in the fourth quarter, casting uncertainty over the backup quarterback race in the process.

Stetson Bennett’s Statement Audition

The two-time national champion from Georgia entered camp fighting to retain his spot as the Rams’ third-string quarterback. Against Dallas, he looked nothing like the quarterback who struggled in last year’s preseason meeting. Bennett showed poise in the pocket, crisp anticipation on intermediate routes, and a willingness to push the ball downfield when opportunities arose.

His lone blemish came on a deep attempt that Cowboys defensive back Israel Mukuamu snatched away with a spectacular one-handed interception. Otherwise, Bennett was efficient and decisive, connecting with Cody Schrader and Brennan Presley for second-half touchdowns. The performance likely solidifies his standing on the depth chart and gives the Rams confidence in their quarterback room behind Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo.

Bennett’s command of the offense was evident from the opening drive. He led the Rams on two scoring marches capped by Corum’s short runs, then settled into a rhythm after halftime, spreading the ball to multiple receivers while avoiding negative plays. For a player whose NFL future has been questioned, this outing was exactly what he needed.

Corum and the Ground Game Set the Tone

While Bennett’s arm garnered headlines, the Rams’ commitment to the run established control early. Corum, a second-year back, scored from near the goal line on both of the team’s first two possessions, showcasing the power and vision that made him a standout at Michigan. He finished with 32 yards on the ground, but his impact was felt in the red zone, where the Rams were perfect.

Cody Schrader (59 yards) and rookie Jarquez Hunter (41 yards) added to a rushing attack that piled up 181 yards on 38 carries, a 4.76-yard average. The offensive line, filled with reserves and roster hopefuls, created consistent push in the run game and kept Bennett clean for most of the night. Head coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur will have plenty of positive tape to evaluate when deciding on the final 53.

Milton’s Debut and an Unsettling Exit

Joe Milton arrived in Dallas this offseason with a cannon arm and a chance to push for the backup role behind Dak Prescott. He showed both promise and inconsistency against the Rams, completing 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown—a strike to tight end Rivaldo Fairweather midway through the fourth quarter. His physical tools were on display, but so were the accuracy hiccups that have followed him since his college days.

The bigger story emerged late: Milton was sacked in the fourth quarter and immediately grasped his throwing elbow. He exited the game and did not return, with Will Grier finishing the final series and rushing for a touchdown. Early postgame reports indicated the injury is soreness, but the Cowboys will await further medical testing to determine severity. Any missed time could upend Dallas’ quarterback depth and force the team to consider an emergency signing.

Schottenheimer’s Debut: A Work in Progress

Brian Schottenheimer’s first game as a head coach was never going to be a showcase of his offensive playbook. The 51-year-old, who spent the previous two seasons as Dallas’ offensive coordinator, used the contest to install basic concepts and evaluate young talent. He challenged one call—a 39-yard sideline catch by Rams receiver Xavier Smith—and lost, an inauspicious start to his replay-victory ledger.

The Cowboys committed nine penalties for 85 yards, a statistic Schottenheimer will emphasize in meetings. Defensive tackling was another sore spot, as Los Angeles backs frequently carried tacklers for extra yards. Still, the energy on the sideline was positive, and several young players delivered flashes that could earn them more reps as the preseason progresses.

One lighthearted moment involved star receiver CeeDee Lamb, who attended the game in street clothes but ended up drawing a penalty for sideline interference when an official collided with him. Lamb popped up laughing, a brief respite in an otherwise businesslike night.

Roster Battles and the Fringe Players

Preseason is about the margins, and Saturday’s game provided a wealth of evaluation material for both front offices.

Los Angeles Rams

  • Quarterback depth: Bennett’s performance likely locks him in as the No. 3, though Garoppolo was held out entirely. The Rams now know they have a functional emergency option.
  • Running back room: Schrader and Hunter made strong cases for roster spots with their all-around play. Schrader’s receiving skills add a dimension that could earn him third-down work.
  • Wide receiver and tight end: Presley and Fairweather (for Dallas) scored, but several other unheralded targets caught the coaching staff’s eye. Their special-teams contributions will be crucial in final cuts.

Dallas Cowboys

  • Backup quarterback: Milton’s injury complicates the picture. Will Grier’s late rushing touchdown was a positive, but the team may need to bring in another arm if Milton’s elbow lingers.
  • Linebacker and safety: Missed tackles and communication breakdowns were too frequent. Players like Mukuamu, who made the interception, likely helped themselves, but the unit as a whole needs improvement.
  • Wide receiver depth: With Lamb sidelined, opportunities were plentiful. No receiver separated from the pack, leaving the door open for a veteran addition or an undrafted free agent to surge.

Special Teams and Penalty Discipline

Dallas’ nine penalties for 85 yards were the glaring statistic of the night. Multiple offsides on defense and a couple of holding calls on special teams disrupted rhythm and field position. Schottenheimer’s staff will drill down on this during the week, as such mistakes often carry over into the regular season if unchecked.

Los Angeles was cleaner, committing only five penalties for 45 yards. Their special-teams coverage units were sound, and punter Ethan Evans placed three kicks inside the 20-yard line—a hidden advantage that tilted field position in the Rams’ favor.

What the Film Will Show

For the Rams, the defensive front generated pressure without many starters playing, and the secondary held up well in coverage. The tackling issues that plagued them early last season were not evident, suggesting the reserve defenders have bought into coordinator Chris Shula’s emphasis on fundamentals.

For the Cowboys, the offense under Schottenheimer showed a commitment to the run (26 attempts for 143 yards) and some creative pre-snap motion, but the passing game lacked rhythm. The protection broke down too often, and Milton was forced to scramble on multiple occasions. Tight end blocking was inconsistent, and the receivers failed to create separation against the Rams’ backups.

Health Updates and What’s Next

  • Joe Milton (elbow): Further evaluation is pending, but the initial diagnosis of soreness offers some relief. The Cowboys may limit his throwing this week out of caution.
  • Matthew Stafford (back): The Rams’ veteran quarterback went through an extensive pregame workout and is expected to return to practice Monday, easing any concerns about his training camp absence.

Upcoming schedule:
- Rams: Joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday before hosting them next Saturday.
- Cowboys: Three more practices in Oxnard, California, then a home preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

The Rams will continue to rest core starters, with Bennett and Garoppolo likely splitting reps. For the Cowboys, the immediate priority is sorting out the quarterback depth behind Prescott—a process complicated by Milton’s injury.

Avoiding the Preseason Trap

It’s tempting to draw sweeping conclusions from one August night, but history warns against it. Bennett’s efficient numbers came against a Dallas defense missing its top pass rushers and starting cornerbacks. Milton’s struggles were partly due to a leaky offensive line and unfamiliarity with the system—both correctable over time.

What matters most are the process indicators: communication, assignment football, tackling, and situational discipline. On those fronts, the Rams emerged with a cleaner sheet, while the Cowboys have clear teaching points. Both teams will use the tape to adjust practice scripts and personnel groupings before the regular season arrives.

The only certainty is that the Rams are 1-0 in the preseason ledger, and a number of roster hopefuls—led by Stetson Bennett—made strong opening statements. For Dallas, the hope is that Joe Milton’s elbow injury is minor and that the missed tackles are an anomaly, not a trend.

In the high-stakes laboratory of preseason football, data points accumulate. The smart organizations will separate the noise from the signal and let the next two weeks of practice and game action tell a fuller story.