The Los Angeles Rams shut out the New Orleans Saints 34-0 in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, with Stetson Bennett leading the way under center.
Bennett navigated the offense to three rushing touchdowns, two of which were his own. He was 19/31 for 181 yards, showing value with his legs and helping his standing as Matthew Stafford's backup going into the regular season.
The Rams kept their starters away from action, allowing the bottom half of the roster to fight it out for the remaining spots on the 53-man roster. This move was typical of Sean McVay's preseason strategy.
One of the winners from this game was Bennett himself. He didn't hurt himself with his performance against the Saints, which helps his standing on the 53-man roster.
Bennett's legs were a key part of his game, scoring a pair of touchdowns. He rushed in for his second touchdown as Los Angeles extended its lead over New Orleans.
On the other hand, Ty Simpson, the other quarterback, lost out on playing time due to Bennett's strong performance. This doesn't mean Simpson performed poorly; he just needs to dethrone Bennett for the backup job.
Meanwhile, other players on the Rams made a positive impact. Jarquez Hunter, the running back, rushed 12 times for 68 yards and 1 touchdown, showing a huge stock up for himself.
CJ Daniels, the wide receiver, hauled in 8 receptions on 13 targets for 68 yards, indicating an encouraging sign for the organization. Daniels got the bulk of the targets, signaling that the Rams want to see his ability.
The Rams' offensive line also performed well, not allowing a sack while throwing the ball 43 times. They gave the ground attack lanes throughout the game, generating 151 yards.
On defense, Cam Lampkin, the cornerback, helped himself with 6 tackles and 2 pass deflections. Al'zillion Hamilton, another cornerback, grabbed an interception and led the Rams defense in tackles with 6.
Lastly, Alex Cook, the safety, grabbed a pick 6 and took it back for 100 yards, helping his stock greatly. Cook has familiarity with Jimmy Lake, the Rams defensive backs coach, which may have helped him acclimate quicker.
In the end, the Rams' performance was a mixed bag, with some players standing out while others struggled. As the team heads into the final week of the preseason, the competition for the remaining spots on the 53-man roster will only intensify.
Source: Yahoo Sports