5 winners and 1 loser from Rams' preseason romp vs Saints (plus a bonus MVP)

The Los Angeles Rams followed up a 20-12 win over the Chiefs last week with a 34-0 thrashing of the Saints in preseason game No. 2. This one went a bit differently, with new stars and standouts and a whole lot of defensive splash plays.

We got three rushing touchdowns after two receiving in Game 1. We got a pick-six from safety Alex Cook. We saw a lot more of quarterback Stetson Bennett and a bit less of Ty Simpson.

In what is far from an exhaustive list, here are several of the day's standouts and one player who, by no real fault of his own, ended up on the opposite side of the spectrum in Week 2.

5 winners, 1 loser, and 1 bonus entry from Rams' Week 2 preseason win

Running back Dean Connors - loser

To be fair, Connors never really had a chance to make his mark on this one. In the first half, he returned one kickoff and was targeted once in the pass game, for an incompletion. In the second half, he carried twice for five yards.

It was a much different performance than his preseason debut, in which he tallied 51 scrimmage yards on 11 touches and provided the game's only two touchdowns. What was he supposed to do with one target and two totes? It's not his fault, but his stock nonetheless slipped in this one after an electric Game 1.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett - winner

In one half of play, Bennett finished 19-of-31 passing for 181 yards, a 77.5 passer rating, and two rushing scores. In contrast to the first game, in which he played only two series, Bennett stayed on the field for the entire first half. The Rams ran a lot of offensive plays, period, before the defense took over after halftime, which might boost Bennett's numbers somewhat, but still, it was a solid performance that won him Player of the Game honors. Hard not to call him a winner after that.

After appearing a little out of sync early, Bennett found his rhythm with short completions and then connected on back-to-back strikes of 20 and 17 yards, respectively, in a two-minute drill to close out the half. With his downfield ball placement still a work in progress, those two throws might be the most encouraging thing about Bennett's performance. We already know he's sneaky athletic, as he showcased on two end-zone scampers.

Running back Jarquez Hunter - winner

After a quieter Game 1 showing, he did his part to carry the offense in preseason Game 2, to the tune of 12 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round pick, was the only Ram aside from Bennett to find paydirt.

His performance helps his case for a spot on the 53-man roster, although it's also not a great sign that he played so deep into the game. Players who have made the team or are very close to it don't see such extended playing time. Rostering Hunter would require the Rams to carry four running backs or demote veteran Ronnie Rivers (the latter seems highly unlikely). Whether or not a roster spot is in the cards, Hunter at least helped his chances.

Receiver CJ Daniels - winner

Daniels stole the show among Rams pass-catchers, finishing with eight receptions for 68 yards on 13 targets. That more than makes up for a quiet debut last week, as the rookie showed up with both Bennett and Simpson in the pocket. There's not much more to say here; he's on the team, and he continues to demonstrate why LA moved up to draft him.

Edge rusher Wesley Bailey - winner

Bailey was a beast, racking up four quarterback hits, a sack, and a tackle for loss while also being involved on the play in which the Rams forced a goal-line fumble - the second such takeaway of the game, after Cook's 100-yard pick-six earlier. It was a monster day for the undrafted Louisville rookie.

While it might not earn him a spot on LA's edge-rusher depth chart with Desjuan Johnson currently holding the fourth and potentially final slot, he could be a hot commodity on waivers if the Rams attempt to sneak him onto the practice squad.

Cornerback Cam Lampkin - winner

Lampkin was another standout on the day, registering a third-down pass breakup on one of his two pass deflections, plus five tackles. He continues to be an energetic force in the secondary, making his case as the final defensive back on the roster. The Rams have effectively declared corner/nickelback Joshua Wallace and safety Jaylen McCollough safe by sitting them in the preseason, but maybe Lampkin can weasel his way in as the ninth DB on the 53-man squad.

The defense - bonus winner, MVP

Two interceptions, including a field-length pick-six, a red-zone fumble, and timely plays from both the secondary and the pass rush made the Rams defense a clear winner, if not the MVP of the performance.

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