5 sleepless-night narratives emerging out of LA Rams' first preseason game

IV: Backup QB Brett Rypien looks rusty and Stetson Bennett looked reckless

While had completed his first three passes, backup QB Brett Rypien ended the first half with three out of six passes for 11 yards and a quarterback sack. The problem was not just the Rams allowing pressure, but the incompletions, Rypien failed to connect with open receivers.

QB Stetson Bennett entered the game and the Rams' offense came alive. But on multiple plays, Bennett threw the ball into the hands of a defensive back. The only reason that the offensive drive did not end on any of the three such plays is that the defensive back dropped the ball.

That allowed the Rams to put up a pair of touchdowns. Unfortunately, the offensive output was just too little too late. , In so many ways, this game was all LA Chargers.

III: Rams OL Logan Bruss and QB Brett Rypien were not quite ready to start in preseason Game 1

Well, not so much for RT Logan Bruss, who gave up a quarterback sack in the Rams' first series. But like many players in this one, he settled down and the offense seemed to settle in for a long drive in the second quarter.

But some of that falls on the quarterback as well. Whether it was his pace or what he was seeing or not seeing in coverage, Rypien was very ineffective. While he is a veteran NFL quarterback, he does not look like a quarterback who is fighting for a roster spot on this team.

There is always a bit of rust in any preseason opener. But you have to hope that is the only reason for these early struggles. I'm not convinced that the Rams starting offensive line is truly 'set,' and I will be quite curious to see how the Rams address the group for the other two preseason games.