3 things I wanted to see from the LA Rams in Game 2, but didn't

The LA Rams storylines for the 2024 preseason is what you make of it, I suppose. If you want to witness perfect execution, incredible decision-making, a complete dominance on both sides of the football, you are probably in the wrong store. Preseason games by this Rams roster is about giving less experienced players, well . . . experience. Whether good or bad, the team is looking to give players the history to turn talent into wisdom, raw athleticism into savvy skills, and confusion into confidence.

So far, so good. That seems to be what this team is doing right now.

I don't want to hear about the Rams backups facing backups from other teams. The Chargers played some of their starters against the Rams. And still, the Rams prevailed. It wasn't the final score that is the most thrilling part. It's the fact that this defense is chippy and swarming to the football like ants coming for a forgotten picnic lunch on the lawn.

It's simply a lot of fun to see.

Still, I don't believe that I am alone in setting expectations for this team. After all, it's human nature to take what was, and use that information to anticipate what will be. Right or wrong, sometimes setting expectations can lead to disappointment.

The Rams have done an incredible job in two preseason games of controlling the line of scrimmage. This is a team that does not play starters up front, on either side of the football. And yet, the performances of both the offensive line and the defensive front have been quite encouraging. The offensive line has been opening running lanes, while also creating pristine pockets for QB Stetson Bennett.

The opposite is true for the defensive front. The Rams have been swarming to the football, getting plenty of tackles for losses, and have even generated enough pass rush to keep opposing quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket. But, having said all that, there are areas which I hoped to see more from the Rams in preseason.

Here are three different expectations that fell short for me in Game 2.

(3) - Stetson Bennett securing the football

I suppose you can't have it both ways, can you? In the 2024 NFL preseason so far, LA Rams QB Stetson Bennett has the most completions (41), the most passing attempts (69), and the most passing yards in the NFL. He is even tied for second place for the most touchdown passes thrown with two. But with the roses come the thorns. All stats come from footballdb.com. He also has the most interceptions.

I suppose gunslingers in the NFL have their risks too. Still, I had hoped that he would be a bit more conscientious over ball security. If you tack his performance, you will find improvement. He had four turnovers in Game 1 (four interceptions, and had just two turnovers in Game 2 (one interception, one fumble). In the strictest sense, he is making progress. I'd be happy to see a game with no turnovers.

Perhaps Game 3?

(2) - Joshua Karty to make every FG

I am not throwing shade at rookie kicker Joshua Karty. He has been better than expected, nailing four of five field goal attempts and two of two extra points in preseason. But I would have loved to see him boot all five field goals. Again, missing a field goal was inevitable. I just do not want to see one miss become multiple misses.

The timing for me struck a nerve. The team had just released kicker Tanner Brown, guaranteeing the kicking job will go to Joshua Karty. If only that missed field goal had come in Game 3, I would feel better. Granted, it was a 52-yard attempt that had plenty of leg, it just sailed right. The Rams did end up winning the game. At the time of the attempt, the score was tied.

I simply did not want to see any signs of Joshua Karty letting up after seeing that he won the kicking competition. He missed a kick that I know that he can make? Signs of letting up, or just bad timing?

(1) - An offensive player have a break out game

In two preseason games, the Rams have scored 26 points. While that has been enough to win both games, it's not the evidence of true offensive firepower that I had hoped to see from this offense. The best ground performance so far has been veteran running back Boston Scott, who has rushed 25 times for 123 yards, an impressive 4.92 yards per run average. But he has not scampered for a touchdown yet. And he has been well short of the 100+ yards plateau that you may expect from anyone running behind this offensive line.

Of course, the same can be said of the receivers too. Rookie WR Jordan Whittington has caught 11 of 17 passes for 126 yards. But he has yet to make a touchdown reception. And he is the only receiver to get close to 100+ receiving yards in one game. Stetson Bennett may be erratic and make some mental mistakes, but he has proven to have a solid throwing arm and had tossed two touchdowns already.

The Rams roster depth is better than I had imagined (and I was very optimistic before preseason began). But I see this team as leaving some offense on the football field. Granted, this team is fielding backups and facing a blend of backups and starters so far in preseason. And this team is more than holding their own so far.

Sometimes, you have to create stretch goals. As is the case for the Rams roster in preseason games so far, this team has already exceeded realistic expectations. And so, now those stretch goals kick in. Too optimistic? I don't think so. Like many football scenarios, the team simply needs to align all phases in one game. If and when that happens, sit back and enjoy the show.

And as always, thanks for reading.