4 winners (and 3 losers) from Rams' gritty preseason win over the Chargers

Preseason games may mean very little to the records and success of the Los Angeles Rams, but to the players who compete in the games, they can mean everything. The competition is not always fair. For the players in Game 2, they opened the contest as backups and depth players who faced the Los Angeles Chargers' starting offense and defense.

But as fans have come to learn about this team and its passion for football, it can never be counted out of any contest. The game was not always easy on the eyes. Nor was it a display of the NFL's finest. The teams were called collectively for 13 penalties for 84 penalty yards. But twice as many penalties could have been called in the game if you believed the broadcast booth.

But the offense hummed. The Rams gained 458 yards, controlled the clock for 35:57, and scored twice in four Red Zone appearances. And the pilot of the offense's impressive output was none other than backup quarterback Stetson Bennett IV. And why not? He did exactly what HC Sean McVay envisioned for him in the preseason.

4 winners and 3 losers from Rams' gritty preseason win over Chargers

3 losers

Center Beaux Limmer was a 2024 starter who continues to hone his craft. He was guilty of allowing the lone sack against QB Stetson Bennett, as well as getting flagged for a false start. As the center, it's nearly impossible to draw that penalty. He had some good plays, but as a returning starter, he needs to do better.

The Rams' punt coverage is not just suspect. It's horrifically bad. In a closely contested game, the coverage unit did the team no favors. Punter Ethan Evans punted three times for 172 yards, or a gross punting average of 57.3 yards per punt. The coverage unit allowed 83 punt return yards for an average of 27.7 yards per return. The net punting average? 29.6 yards per punt. Worst of all, the unit allowed one punt return to score a touchdown.

Cornerback Cam Lampkin did not follow up a good performance in Game 1 this time. Truth be told, it seemed that whenever the Chargers completed a long pass, Lampkin was the defensive back in coverage. He made four tackles, but did not have a single pass deflection.

4 winners

QB Stetson Bennett continues to improve, and against a very stingy and impressive Chargers defense, he played the best game of his NFL career. He completed 28 of 40 passes (a 70 percent completion rate) to 10 different receivers for 324 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He shredded the secondary, even when it fielded its starters. And unlike the first game, he carried the team's scoring efforts.

He leads all preseason quarterbacks with 512 passing yards and five passing touchdowns. If history is to be trusted, that was the last game you will see of him in the 2025 preseason.

WR Xavier Smith continues to catch everything thrown his way. He followed up a three-of-three for 55 yards performance in Game 1 by catching four-of-four passes in Game 2 for 49 yards. Since he is also in a heated competition as a special teams contributor as a gunner and a return specialist, it's clear that he is pulling ahead of the competition.

WR Brennan Pressley was one of the stars in Game 2. He followed up a modest two of two receptions for 11 yards with a six of eight receptions for 102 yards, including a jaw-dropping 40-yard reception. The Rams seem to have shut the door to adding additional receivers to the roster. But, did Pressley's performance for the team to reconsider

ILB Shaun Dolac wore the green dot in Game 2 and was all over the field, leading the team with seven tackles. Whenever a receiver caught a football near him, he was in the perfect position to make the play. This was Dolac's second seven-tackle performance. He is in competition with Pooh Paul Jr. for what is likely the fourth and final ILB spot.

LA’s coaching staff will soon review their scorecards and update the depth chart for the 2025 season. From there, the team will decide who will and won’t suit up for the third and final preseason game. At this point, major changes to the depth chart seem unlikely. With two games now in the books, the Rams’ roster is beginning to take shape.

And as always, thanks for reading.

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