The Los Angeles Rams opened their 2025 preseason with a convincing 31–21 win over the Dallas Cowboys, a game that doubled as Brian Schottenheimer’s head-coaching debut in Dallas and a live audition stage for several roster hopefuls — most notably Stetson Bennett, who completed 16-of-24 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns while Blake Corum punched in two short rushing scores for the Rams. (abc7.com, espn.com)
The takeaway for analysts and fans should be clear and modest: use this game to adjust expectations, not to rewrite them. The preseason is a laboratory — it produces data, not certainties — and the smart consumer of NFL news will wait for the regular-season ledger before turning early flashes into final judgments. (espn.com, dallascowboys.com)
Source: WV News Cowboys Rams Football
Background
Preseason purpose and context
Preseason football is seldom about the final score; it is an extended interview where coaches, backups, and young players perform live under pressure. For the Cowboys and Rams alike, this opener provided a real-game environment to evaluate positional depth, in-game communication, and early-season conditioning. The Rams treated the contest as an opportunity to evaluate quarterback competition and depth at running back, while the Cowboys used the scrimmage to assess Joe Milton’s integration and to begin new cultural and schematic changes under Schottenheimer. (reuters.com, dallascowboys.com)Stakes for each franchise
- For the Rams: limited starter reps meant the performance spotlight shifted to the fringe roster — undrafted free agents, camp invitees, and third-string signal-callers seeking roster security. Stetson Bennett’s performance was an answer to that audition.
- For the Cowboys: a new coaching era and a quarterback room still sorting roles meant the preseason was primarily diagnostic rather than determinative, but health concerns (notably Joe Milton’s elbow) immediately introduce short-term roster questions.
Game recap and film study
Scoreline and flow
The Rams led early and controlled enough phases of the game to secure a 31–21 victory. They struck quickly with two short rushing touchdowns from Blake Corum that bookended a first-half scoring spurt, then extended their margin through the second half as backup quarterbacks and reserves battled. Dallas rallied late, but the deficit proved too large to close in the time remaining. Official box scores and play-by-play show the Rams outgained the Cowboys in total yards (364 to 297) and dominated the rushing ledger with 181 yards on 38 attempts. (espn.com, spectrumlocalnews.com)Key plays and momentum swings
- Two early Corum short-yardage TDs swung the early-field position battle in Los Angeles’ favor and forced Dallas to play catch-up, altering their fourth-down and tempo choices.
- A long downfield attempt that resulted in an interception against Bennett was erased by a spectacular one-handed interception by Dallas’ Israel Mukuamu — a momentum snap that kept the Cowboys in the contest at that moment.
- Dallas’ late touchdown from Joe Milton was marred by subsequent injury to Milton’s elbow late in the fourth quarter, underscoring how quickly preseason evaluations can become health-management priorities. (spectrumlocalnews.com, dallascowboys.com)
Tactical observations
- Rams: A run-first opening approach with short-zone rushing plays allowed the Rams to chew clock and examine offensive-line depth under game pressure. When Bennett found intermediate targets, the offense sustained drives and reduced pressure on defensive evaluations.
- Cowboys: The Cowboys showed promise running the ball but struggled in tackling fundamentals on occasion — a recurring preseason theme that coaching staffs typically prioritize correcting before the regular season. Penalty volume and special-teams discipline were noted as correctable but notable issues. (espn.com, dallascowboys.com)
Quarterback storylines: what this game changed (and what it didn’t)
Stetson Bennett: a resume-boosting night
Stetson Bennett’s 16-of-24, 188-yard, two-TD performance was the headline for Los Angeles. In a role that mixes veteran presence with fringe-roster competition, Bennett used accuracy on intermediate throws and efficient red-zone execution to stake a stronger claim in the Rams’ QB ladder. His arm strength and anticipation on play-action stood out in multiple snaps. Cross-checking local and national reports confirms Bennett’s 188 passing yards and two touchdowns as the central statistical line of the night. (abc7.com, espn.com)Joe Milton: flashes, then injury
Joe Milton finished with 143 passing yards and a touchdown before sustaining elbow soreness late in the fourth quarter. The performance included both impressive deep attempts and inconsistent accuracy, the latter a familiar preseason pattern that is often adjusted by reps and offseason work. The elbow issue elevates medical monitoring into an early-season priority for the Cowboys and may limit Milton’s immediate practice reps. Multiple outlets and the Cowboys’ own recap documented Milton’s elbow soreness following the contest. (spectrumlocalnews.com, dallascowboys.com)Broader QB implications
Preseason outcomes rarely change starter status for established teams, but they do shape:- The pecking order behind the backup roles.
- Which quarterbacks are trusted for situational packages (4-minute offense, red-zone duty).
- Practice-rep allocation and medical load balancing across the first weeks of training camp and preseason.
Given Bennett’s efficient night and Milton’s late-game injury, the game nudged the Rams’ internal rankings upward for Bennett and forced the Cowboys to consider immediate contingency plans for quarterback repetitions. (reuters.com, dallascowboys.com)
Roster battles and depth-chart consequences
Running backs and short-yardage identity
Blake Corum’s two short-yardage touchdowns illustrate why teams value a power/finesse back on the roster bubble. His short-area vision and contact balance were repeatedly used in red-zone packages — plays that matter in roster decisions. The Rams’ rushing volume (38 attempts for 181 yards) offered front-office evaluators a clear look at uphill blockers and running-back change-of-pace candidates. (espn.com, spectrumlocalnews.com)Wide receiver and tight end evaluations
With starters largely limited, reserve receivers and tight ends received significant targets. These players served double duty: demonstrating hands, route discipline, and blocking in the run game while also offering special-teams value. Several undrafted or low-salary players made noticeable impacts, which has an outsized effect on final 53-man decisions. Local reporters flagged a handful of practice-squad candidates who must now be tracked through cut-down day. (abc7.com, turfshowtimes.com)Defensive snaps: tackling and depth
The Cowboys’ tackling lapses and the Rams’ ability to break arm tackles highlighted physicality gaps that special teams coaches and defensive coordinators will prioritize in the film room. Player evaluations on defense often hinge on tackling consistency, pass-rush pocket discipline, and communication on stunts — all areas where the film produced both positive and negative evidence.Coaching and schematic notes
Brian Schottenheimer’s debut under the microscope
Schottenheimer arrived in Dallas with a reputation for offensive acumen. His debut was measured: conservative play-calling with attention to structure and tempo, but not without expected preseason experimentation. The coaching staff will use the tape to refine halftime adjustments, red-zone personnel alignment, and clock-management signals. The bigger judgment will come from how quickly discipline issues — penalties, sideline cohesion, and inefficiencies — are corrected across practice cycles.Rams staff approach
The Rams’ coaches prioritized situational reps for reserve units while deliberately limiting top-tier starter exposure. That approach preserves health, but it forces coaches to read the tea leaves on fringe players with fewer high-leverage snaps. The positive outcome for Los Angeles was evidence that their developmental pipeline — particularly at quarterback and running back — still produces viable in-game performers. (abc7.com, turfshowtimes.com)Special teams and discipline: hidden game determinants
Special teams and penalties often determine the difference between a preseason quiz and an actual game-management test. The Cowboys registered a higher penalty count and more yardage, affecting field-position metrics and third-down percentages. Penalty patterns in preseason frequently reflect communication errors and mental lapses rather than structural flaws, but they must be corrected to prevent carryover into the regular season.Media, fan reaction, and the role of visual storytelling
How one image can shape narrative
Photographs and highlight clips drive fan perception in a way raw numbers do not. The WV News image linked in local coverage captured one of the game’s defining moments — a mid-game play that visually communicated both the speed and physicality of the preseason. Visual storytelling in local media does two important things: it humanizes fringe players who otherwise live in roster spreadsheets, and it accelerates grassroots narratives about coaching competence and player grit. This imagery also drives social discourse around dress, sideline emotion, and the spectacle versus substance debate in preseason football.Broadcast and local beat coverage
Local and national outlets approached the contest with different priorities: TV stations highlighted the human-interest angle and injury status, national outlets emphasized roster implications and statistical threads, and team sites focused on coaching narratives and official injury notes. The combined coverage — from local AP lifts to team recaps — provides a multi-faceted dataset for fans and analysts to interpret the same event differently. (abc7.com, dallascowboys.com)Cross-checking the facts: verified takeaways
- Final score: Los Angeles Rams 31, Dallas Cowboys 21. (espn.com, abc7.com)
- Stetson Bennett: 16-of-24, 188 yards, two touchdowns. (abc7.com, espn.com)
- Joe Milton: 143 passing yards, one touchdown; left with elbow soreness late in the game. (spectrumlocalnews.com, dallascowboys.com)
- Blake Corum: two short rushing touchdowns that bookended early Rams scoring drives. (abc7.com, spectrumlocalnews.com)
Strengths, risks, and the strategic implications for both teams
Notable strengths shown
- Rams: Depth and resiliency in backup units; Bennett’s poise under pressure and the run-game’s short-yardage competency. These both suggest the Rams maintain a credible developmental system that can supply in-game options if starters face injuries. (turfshowtimes.com, abc7.com)
- Cowboys: A running game that posted efficiency (5.5 yards per rush in the box score) and several young players who flashed potential for special-teams roles or rotational duty. That baseline is crucial for coaches building a competitive 53-man roster. (espn.com, dallascowboys.com)
Immediate and medium-term risks
- Injury sensitivity: Joe Milton’s elbow soreness is the clearest near-term risk for Dallas. Even minor preseason injuries can alter practice rep distributions and force earlier-than-planned roster decisions. (spectrumlocalnews.com, dallascowboys.com)
- Tackling and discipline: Dallas’ tackling lapses and penalty volume were notable; if unresolved, these factors magnify against NFL defenses that convert mistakes into game-changing plays.
- Over-interpretation of preseason outcomes: Both franchises must avoid overreacting to single-game results. Preseason evidence is noisy; small sample sizes and inconsistent personnel usage mean conclusions should be probabilistic, not definitive. This is a cautionary note for front offices and fan narratives alike.
Practical roster decisions to watch next
- Quarterback rep allocation for the next two preseason games: who gets the late-game situational snaps?
- Health status updates and MRI results for Joe Milton’s elbow: medical clarity will determine practice exposure and may trigger short-term depth moves.
- Running-back and receiver final-roster battles: which backups demonstrate special-teams value and reliable situational play?
How front offices should interpret this result (and how fans should too)
- For front offices: treat the contest as a diagnostic tool. Focus on process metrics (tackling efficiency, situational conversion rates, third-down defense) rather than headline stats. Use the tape to identify repeatable traits in young players and prioritize health-first load management for emerging starters. (espn.com, dallascowboys.com)
- For fans: temper excitement and concern. Preseason is a noisy signal; focus on durable narratives (coaching philosophy, injury trends, depth across multiple games) rather than one-off heroics or lapses.
Visuals and narrative framing: a final word on media impact
The single action photo that accompanied local coverage — the kind typically supplied by AP affiliates and regional outlets — does more than chronicle: it frames the story. An image showing Bennett’s follow-through, Corum’s power, or Milton’s grimace after a hit anchors memory and fuels social conversation. Those images make preseason moments feel consequential, which is precisely why teams and media often coordinate access and messaging tightly during early-August games. Visuals sharpen narratives; narratives shape public perception; perception can feed front-office pressure. The interplay is subtle but real. (spectrumlocalnews.com, abc7.com)Conclusion — a measured preview of what comes next
The Rams’ 31–21 preseason victory over the Cowboys was meaningful as an evaluation tool but limited as a predictor for the regular season. Stetson Bennett’s efficient performance and Blake Corum’s short-yardage effectiveness gave Los Angeles concrete positives to build on, while Joe Milton’s productive moments and subsequent elbow soreness left Dallas with both hope and an immediate medical question to resolve. Coaches will retreat to the film room, drill fundamentals, and adjust practice reps based on medical updates and strategic priorities. For roster hopefuls, every snap remains an audition; for veterans, the game is a reminder that health, discipline, and situational mastery are the currency of a successful season.The takeaway for analysts and fans should be clear and modest: use this game to adjust expectations, not to rewrite them. The preseason is a laboratory — it produces data, not certainties — and the smart consumer of NFL news will wait for the regular-season ledger before turning early flashes into final judgments. (espn.com, dallascowboys.com)
Source: WV News Cowboys Rams Football
