The Los Angeles Rams absolutely clobbered the New Orleans Saints with a 34-0 shutout in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason. That score tells you everything you need to know about how this game went down. While Sean McVay kept his starters chilled on the sidelines, the guys fighting for those precious 53-man roster spots went out there and straight-up balled, especially a couple of offensive playmakers and some defensive studs.
Bennett’s Wheels Are For Real, And Hunter Is Heating Up
Stetson Bennett got the majority of snaps under center, and while his 19/31 for 181 yards wasn’t “exceptional,” the dude showed off serious value with his legs. He wasn’t afraid to tuck it and run, scoring two rushing touchdowns that totally changed the feel of those drives. This performance is huge for his standing, not only securing a spot on the 53-man roster but also cementing his place as Matthew Stafford’s backup. On the flip side, this naturally made Ty Simpson a “loser” this week. It’s not that Simpson played poorly, but when Bennett eats up all those reps, it makes the fight for that backup job even tougher for Ty. Every snap matters, right?
But it wasn’t just Bennett making moves. Jarquez Hunter, needing to show out after Dean Connors put some heat on the RB3 role in Week 1, delivered big time. He carried the ball 12 times for 68 yards and punched in a touchdown. Averaging a stout 5.7 yards per carry, this was a massive stock boost for Hunter and exactly what he needed to make his case.
Offensive Line Dominance and Defensive Playmakers Everywhere
The Rams’ backup offensive line deserves a ton of credit. They threw the ball 43 times and those big fellas allowed zero sacks. Zero! Plus, they carved out massive lanes for the run game all afternoon, generating 151 yards and an impressive 5.0 yards per rush. That’s how you control the line of scrimmage. Out wide, CJ Daniels, who had a quiet Week 1, blew up in Week 2, hauling in 8 receptions on 13 targets for 68 yards. Getting the bulk of targets like that clearly signals the organization wants to see what he can do.
On defense, Cam Lampkin continued to push hard for a 53-man roster spot. He racked up 6 tackles, with 2 solo, and added a pair of pass deflections. That’s making an impact! Al’zillion Hamilton also stepped up, grabbing an interception and leading the defense with 6 tackles, 4 solo. While the article says he might not make *this* roster, it also makes it clear he will find his way onto an NFL roster. And then there’s Alex Cook. Joining the team midway through training camp, he had himself a day, grabbing a pick-six and taking it back 100 yards for a touchdown. That play alone helped his stock tremendously.
With the final week of preseason looming, every single snap means everything for these guys. Players like Bennett, Hunter, Daniels, Lampkin, Hamilton, and Cook just made serious cases for themselves. Who else is gonna step up before the 53-man roster cuts become official?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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