Stetson Bennett flipped the script hard in the Los Angeles Rams’ preseason clash against the New Orleans Saints, blowing up the backup quarterback battle after just one week! It was a complete role reversal for Bennett and rookie Ty Simpson, and honestly, no one saw it coming. The Rams probably thought they were giving both guys equal opportunities, especially with Simpson reportedly gaining ground, but Bennett went out and just took over the first half.
Bennett Unleashes the Beast Mode
Talk about making a statement! After leading only two possessions in the opener, Bennett was out there for the entire first half against the Saints, and he made it count. He basically inspired a first-half blowout, getting the Rams up 17-0. The dude was on fire, unintentionally cutting into Simpson’s playing time just by being THAT good. Pro Football Focus, which is always dropping objective data, gave Bennett a massive 81.1 grade, a huge jump from being the lowest-graded player on the offense the week before! He was slinging the ball downfield way more aggressively than that conservative showing in the opener, rocking an average depth of target of 9.9 yards. Plus, Bennett wrapped up the half with an impressive 69.0% adjusted completion rate and managed two big-time throws without a single turnover-worthy play. Did you see that one throw from Bennett making the rounds? Absolutely crazy!
Simpson’s Slide and the Rest of the Offense
While Bennett was climbing, Ty Simpson, who was in the top five PFF grades last week, fell to third from the bottom against the Saints. Ouch. Simpson did still post a 75.0% adjusted completion rate, a dip from his 90s mark last week, but he’s been deadly accurate in his first two games overall. It’s a tough spot when your competition just explodes like that. Meanwhile, a few other Rams showed out on offense. Left guard Bill Murray topped the list with a monster 92.3 PFF grade, and center Dylan McMahon also had a solid 77.7. At wide receiver, Tru Edwards, who was a standout last preseason but quiet in the opener, bounced back. He caught three of his four targets for 27 yards, bringing that 6-3, 201-pound size element the other reserve wideouts don’t have. Rookie CJ Daniels was targeted a whopping 13 times, leading the team by a mile compared to Brennan Presley’s six. Daniels hauled in eight catches for 68 yards, with 17 coming after the catch. He’s known for his contested catch ability, but that didn’t quite show up Saturday: he only caught one of his four contested targets.
With the cutdown to the 53-man roster fast approaching, these performances mean everything for guys fighting for their spot. Bennett just made that backup QB battle one to watch, big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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