Rams Host the Cowboys in Preseason Action Sunday on NFL Network
The 2024 NFL preseason will really kick off this Thursday night after it officially kicked off last week with the Hall of Fame game. The LA Rams host the Dallas Cowboys in each teams official NFL preseason week 1 game. The only two teams that will be into their second game are the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans.
This preview recap the 2023 seasons for the Cowboys and Rams. It will dig into what they are looking forward to in 2024. The teams are talented and have a solid outlook going into the 2024 NFL Season. Cowboys have a lot of leadership questions at the QB spot. The Rams have to protect their QB to have a chance. Let’s delve into what to look for.
Cowboys Conclude Season with Strong Record
The Dallas Cowboys capped their season with an impressive 12-5 record. In their final matchup, they faced off against the Green Bay Packers, ultimately falling short in a high-scoring affair with a 48-32 loss. Quarterback Dak Prescott demonstrated his passing prowess, completing 41 of his 60 attempts for a remarkable 403 yards, finding the end zone three times despite throwing two interceptions.
His performance, though marred by those interceptions, showcased his ability to lead the offense under pressure. On the ground, Tony Pollard carried the load with 15 attempts, grinding out 56 yards. His efforts on the ground complemented Prescott’s aerial assault, providing a balanced offensive attack.
CeeDee Lamb shone brightly as the leading receiver, hauling in nine catches for 110 yards, proving to be a consistent and reliable target throughout the game. Overall, the Cowboys managed to rack up an impressive 510 total yards from 89 plays, showcasing their offensive firepower.
Defensively, however, the Cowboys struggled to contain the Packers, surrendering 272 passing yards and 143 rushing yards. This defensive lapse highlighted areas for improvement as the team looks ahead to future challenges.
Season Performance and Statistics
Over the course of the season, the Cowboys demonstrated their offensive capabilities by amassing a total of 6,317 yards and securing 229 first downs. Penalties were a concern, as the team was flagged 115 times, costing them 964 yards.
Despite these setbacks, Dallas excelled in scoring, with 36 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing touchdowns. However, ball security was an issue, as they turned the ball over 16 times, including 10 interceptions and six fumbles. The Cowboys’ ground game averaged 112.9 yards per game, placing them 14th in the league.
Their offensive output translated to an impressive average of 29.9 points per game, making them one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFL.
On the defensive side, Dallas proved to be formidable against the pass, allowing only 3,185 passing yards and ranking fifth in the league. Opponents managed just 187.4 passing yards per game, with a completion rate of 60.5%. Overall, the Cowboys’ defense ranked fifth, allowing an average of 299.7 total yards per game.
Their run defense was solid, permitting an average of 4.2 yards per carry and 112.4 rushing yards per game, for a total of 1,910 rushing yards over the season. Opponents scored an average of 18.5 points per game against Dallas, placing the Cowboys’ defense fifth in the league in points allowed.
Rams End Season with Playoff Berth
The Los Angeles Rams concluded their season with a 10-7 record, earning a spot in the playoffs. Their final game of the season was a nail-biter, ending in a narrow 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Matthew Stafford led the charge with a stellar performance, throwing for 367 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over. His impressive quarterback rating of 120.9 underscored his efficiency and command of the offense.
Puka Nacua emerged as a key playmaker, catching nine passes for an impressive 181 yards, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and make big plays. Kyren Williams contributed to the ground game with 61 yards on 13 carries, providing balance to the Rams’ offensive attack. Overall, the Rams totaled 425 yards from 55 plays, highlighting their explosive potential. Defensively, the Rams allowed 255 passing yards and 79 rushing yards, demonstrating a solid, if not spectacular, effort.
Season Performance and Statistics
The Rams averaged 359.3 yards per game, ranking seventh in the NFL. Their ground game was effective, averaging 120.3 rushing yards per game for a season total of 2,045 yards. However, turnovers were a concern, with the Rams throwing 13 interceptions and losing five fumbles. They managed to earn 206 first downs, despite being penalized 89 times for 720 yards, ranking 22nd in the league for penalties.
The Rams’ passing attack was potent, with a total of 4,063 passing yards, averaging 239.0 yards per game, placing them 10th in the NFL. Their scoring average of 23.8 points per game ranked them eighth overall.
Defensively, the Rams had mixed results. They allowed 24 passing touchdowns and an average of 231.1 passing yards per game, ranking 20th in the league. Against the run, they gave up 1,816 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns over the season, allowing 106.8 rushing yards per game.
Despite these challenges, the Rams’ defense managed to force 15 turnovers and played 1,078 snaps, ranking 16th. They allowed 22.2 points per game, placing them 19th in the league in points allowed.
Upcoming Preseason Matchup
The Rams and Cowboys are set to face off in their preseason opener this Sunday. In anticipation of the game, the Rams released their first unofficial depth chart, providing fans with a glimpse of the current lineup. Although this chart is produced by the media department and not officially endorsed by the coaching staff, it offers insight into the team’s structure.
Kyren Williams is listed ahead of Blake Corum at running back, and Colby Parkinson is slated as the starting tight end over Davis Allen. The offense is currently dealing with several injuries, including Alaric Jackson, Jonah Jackson, Rob Havenstein, and Puka Nacua. Despite these setbacks, Matthew Stafford remains well-equipped with a strong supporting cast and a promising offensive line. Jimmy Garoppolo, serving a two-game suspension, will return as the backup quarterback, with Stetson Bennett likely filling in during his absence. Logan Bruss is now listed at left guard after playing right tackle last season.
Rams Depth Chart Highlights
Defensively, the depth chart lists two starting defensive line spots, but Braden Fiske is expected to start at defensive end, with Bobby Brown III at nose tackle and Kobie Turner at defensive tackle. Byron Young and rookie Jared Verse are listed as the starting edge rushers, with Brennan Jackson appearing ahead of Ochaun Mathis at linebacker. Inside linebacker depth remains a concern, but Ernest Jones‘ health is critical to the unit’s success.
In the secondary, Quentin Lake is listed as the starting nickel, while John Johnson III and Kam Curl are the starting safeties. Joshua Karty is currently holding off Tanner Brown for the kicker position, and Tutu Atwell is the primary return specialist, poised for a larger role this season.
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Spread: Cowboys -4 ½ (-110) – Rams +4 ½ (-110)
Total: 35 (-110)
Money line: Cowboys -205 – Rams +175
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