Week 1, Aug. 11: Dallas Cowboys
In terms of NFC competition, the Dallas Cowboys are the only team from the NFC that the Rams will face in preseason. And with this game scheduled as the first preseason game, the LA Rams are likely to play more of their rookies and rotational players in this game than the remaining two. In 2023, rookie WR Puka Nacua played in the first preseason game before sitting out the rest of preseason.
That same scenario could play out in Game 1 of the 2024 Rams schedule. New offensive skill players such as TE Colby Parkinson, WR Jordan Whittington, and RB Blake Corum are most likely to appear in this game if any. And that could extend to the defensive side of the football too.
While I would not could on seeing any performance from OLB Jared Verse or even DT Braden Fiske, I would look for some defensive snaps from OLB Brennan Jackson and Michael Hoecht, NT Tyler Davis, DE Anthony Goodlaw and Desjuan Johnson. Even some key defensive backs might see some playing time in this one like veteran DB John Johnson III, rookie DB Kamren Kinchens. I would not rule out seeing ILB Christian Rozeboom or Troy Reeder getting some playing time as well.
I will be curious to see who plays quarterback in this game for the Rams, and in what sequence. Will the team start Jimmy Garoppolo, and then relieve him with Stetson Bennett in the second half? That makes a lot of sense based on how the Rams face the regular season. Still, how the team orders QBs in this one will be quite telling.
I will also be focused on how the team handles both tight end and wide receiver positions in this one. We know that the team will not play Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, or Demarcus Robinson in preseason. But who will play at the wide receiver position against the Cowboys? And which tight end(s) sit this one out, while which one(s) compete?
While I think the Rams will be at their most competitive in this one, we know not to get our hopes up too high in terms of final scores in preseason games.