Last night the Los Angeles Rams played their first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. It was a sloppy, up and down game, as one would expect in a preseason opener. The Rams managed to win the game 13-10, with backup quarterback Sean Mannion playing most of the game.

Rams score touchdown in a way only they can

The Los Angeles Rams won the opening coin toss and started at their own 19-yard line following the kick return. However, their first-team offense was not completely playing as Tavon Austin was out due to a nagging hamstring injury and the recently acquired Sammy Watkins not suiting up. On the first play, Robert Woods dropped a short pass from Jared Goff.

Then Todd Gurley had a negative three-yard run and caught a ten-yard dump off, as the team went three and out. Johhny Hekker came out and punted it 44 yards to Dallas 30 yard line, but they muffed the return and Rams linebacker Josh Forrest recovered it. Gurley then got stuffed for a one-yard gain, before Goff hit third-round pick Cooper Kupp on a nice play action pass.

Gurley then got four-yards on his next two runs, leaving the team 3 and 6 at the Cowboys 9 yard line. Goff hit Woods in stride, but he fumbled at about the three-yard line. The ball bounced into the end zone, but luckily Kupp pounced on it and the Rams scored a touchdown.

Mannion sees a lot of action

Following the touchdown, Jared Goff, who was 3-4 with 34 yards, and most of the first team offense was done for the night.

Sean Mannion then came in and played most of the game, as third-string QB Dan Orlovsky did not see the field until there was 4:26 left in the fourth quarter. The backup offense had an up and down performance under Mannion. They had two nice drives that stalled, leading to two field goals.

There were also many fumbles, all in the first half, starting with one by backup running back Malcolm Brown.

Third-string undrafted rookie Justin Davis fumbled twice, with one taking place in the red zone, which was the only fumble the team lost. Besides the fumbles, Davis did have a nice game, showing speed and vision with 9 carries for 70 yards. Also, backup center Austin Blythe snapped it over Mannion's head.

Other notable Rams performances

Second-year receiver Nelson Spruce got all six passes thrown his way for 30 yards. The aforementioned Cupp had two catches for 35 yards, both of which resulted in first downs. Third-year linebacker Carlos Thompson has 3 tackles, along with one tackle for loss, QB hit, and a sack. Morgan Fox, Matt Longacre, and rookie Tanzel Smart also showed an ability to hit the quarterback and disrupt plays.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED