In the high-stakes world of NFL preseason, where every snap can shape a roster and ignite a comeback story, the Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match on August 11, 2024, delivered a thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats. Played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, this preseason Week 1 clash ended with the Rams edging out the Cowboys 13-12 in a game defined by resilience, turnovers, and game-changing moments. It wasn’t just about the final score; it was a showcase of individual brilliance amid chaos, with quarterbacks slinging picks and wideouts making acrobatic grabs. This article dives deep into the Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats, spotlighting the big plays and numbers that turned the tide. From Stetson Bennett’s redemption arc to Jordan Whittington’s breakout, we’ll unpack the stats that mattered in this nail-biter.
Action shot of Jordan Whittington hauling in his 34-yard reception against the Cowboys’ defense during the Rams’ crucial drive.
The game kicked off under the bright California sun, with both teams treating it like a dress rehearsal for the regular season. The Cowboys, fresh off a 12-5 campaign in 2023, entered with high expectations, boasting a defense that ranked top-five in points allowed last year. The Rams, meanwhile, were rebuilding after a 10-7 finish marred by injuries to key stars like Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. But preseason has a way of leveling the field—starters sat, backups shone, and the Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats revealed a battle of unproven talents hungry for reps. Total yards tilted slightly to the Rams at 316-309, but it was the efficiency on big plays that stole the show. The Rams converted 4.6 yards per play on 68 snaps, edging the Cowboys’ 4.4 on 70 plays. Time of possession favored Dallas at 31:03 to LA’s 28:57, yet it was the Rams who capitalized on late opportunities.
Let’s start with the signal-callers, the engines driving these explosive moments. For the Cowboys, Trey Lance made his highly anticipated Dallas debut after being acquired from San Francisco. The former No. 3 overall pick completed 25 of 41 passes for 188 yards—no touchdowns, no interceptions, but a QBR hovering around 60. Lance’s stat line doesn’t scream dominance, but his big plays did: a 22-yard dart to KaVontae Turpin on a third-and-long kept drives alive, and a scrambling 15-yard run extended a possession that led to Brandon Aubrey’s first field goal. Lance’s completion percentage (61%) was solid for a rusty preseason outing, but his decision-making under pressure showed growth. He avoided the sacks that plagued his 49ers tenure, getting the ball out in 2.5 seconds on average. Backup Cooper Rush relieved him in the second half, going 5-for-7 for 32 yards and leading a crisp 12-play drive capped by Aubrey’s 36-yarder. Rush’s efficiency (82% completion) was a quiet highlight, but Lance’s arm talent hinted at why Mike McCarthy is intrigued by a potential QB competition with Dak Prescott.
Over on the Rams’ sideline, Stetson Bennett’s rollercoaster afternoon encapsulated the drama of the Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats. The 2024 fourth-rounder, returning from a mental health hiatus, threw for 224 yards on 24-of-38 passing (63.2%), including one touchdown—but oh, those four interceptions! Bennett’s picks were head-scratchers: two to Dallas’ Juanyeh Thomas in the first half, one tipped by Israel Mukuamu, and another swatted by Markquese Bell. Yet, in true Bulldog fashion (nod to his Georgia championship pedigree), Bennett authored the game’s defining big play. Trailing 12-6 with 2:52 left, he orchestrated a 13-play, 70-yard masterpiece, going 8-for-9 for 61 yards in the final two minutes. The crown jewel? A sidearm laser to Miller Forristall for a 6-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the Dallas 6, with just 4 seconds on the clock. That strike, clocked at 52 mph, silenced Cowboys Stadium invaders and boosted Bennett’s passer rating to 72.5 overall. His yards per attempt (5.9) outpaced Lance’s (4.6), but the turnovers underscored the risk-reward of his gunslinger mentality.
Stetson Bennett celebrating his game-winning touchdown pass to Miller Forristall in the final seconds against the Cowboys.
Running backs often decide tight games, and the ground game in this Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats tale was no exception. De’Von Achane led the Rams with 14 carries for 48 yards (3.4 YPC), including a 12-yard burst that set up Joshua Karty’s 39-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Achane’s elusiveness—evading three tackles for no gain or more—flashed starter potential, especially on a third-and-2 scamper where he turned a potential stop into a first down. For Dallas, Sincere McCormick churned out 42 yards on 11 totes (3.8 YPC), with a 17-yard gallop in the third quarter sparking Aubrey’s 52-yard boot that extended the lead to 12-6. McCormick’s vision shone on that play, cutting back against the grain to pick up 14 yards after contact. Overall, rushing yards were muted (Rams 92, Cowboys 85), but these chunk runs prevented three-and-outs and kept defenses honest. Fullback Jakob Johnson added a sneaky 8-yard reception for LA, blocking like a wall on Achane’s big gain.
Wide receivers? Now we’re talking fireworks. Jordan Whittington emerged as the breakout star in the Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats, hauling in 6 catches for 74 yards—tops on the night. His pièce de résistance: a 34-yard grab on second-and-11 from the Rams’ 41 during the winning drive. Whittington snagged Bennett’s pass at the Dallas 35, stiff-armed cornerback Eric Scott, and rumbled to the 11 before linebacker Damone Clark dragged him down. That play gained 23 yards after catch, flipping field position and breathing life into a Rams offense that had sputtered with Bennett’s picks. Whittington’s route-running precision—crisp breaks on slants and posts—netted a 12.3 YAC average, drawing praise from Sean McVay: “Jordan showed up big time.” On the Cowboys’ side, KaVontae Turpin dazzled with 4 receptions for 52 yards, including a 22-yarder where he toe-tapped the sideline. Turpin’s speed stretched the field, forcing Rams safeties to play deep and opening underneath routes. Jalen Cropper added 3 grabs for 28 yards, but it was Turpin’s return prowess—a 19-yard kickoff return—that sparked early momentum.
Defensively, the numbers tell a story of opportunistic chaos. Dallas’ Brock Mogensen snagged Bennett’s fourth pick, returning it 23 yards to the Rams’ 23 and setting up Aubrey’s dagger 52-yarder. The Cowboys’ secondary, led by Juanyeh Thomas (2 INTs, 3 tackles), forced three turnovers in the first half alone, holding LA to 3-for-12 on third downs early. Thomas’s over-the-shoulder pick on a deep ball was pure instincts, tipping the momentum toward Dallas. Micah Parsons, in limited snaps, registered a sack and two QB hits, pressuring Bennett into his second INT. For the Rams, Cobie Durant led with 5 tackles and a pass breakup on Lance’s third-down overthrow. Their run D stuffed McCormick on four short-yardage stops, limiting Dallas to 2.1 YPC in the second half. Big plays here? Durant’s near-strip of Lance on a bootleg, which would’ve swung the game earlier.
Special teams were the unsung heroes, with kickers trading haymakers. Brandon Aubrey was flawless for Dallas, nailing field goals from 36, 52, and another 29 yards—his longest a 52-yarder into the wind that curled left to right like a postcard. Aubrey’s accuracy (100% on the night) kept the Cowboys in front, but rookie Joshua Karty matched him for the Rams with 2-for-2 from 39 and 28 yards. Karty’s 39-yarder, a 14-play drive payoff, showcased his leg strength, booming through the uprights from 45 yards out. Punting favored LA’s Ethan Evans (43.5-yard net average), who flipped the field twice with 50+ boots.
As the clock ticked down, the Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats crystallized into a tale of redemption. Bennett’s final drive—13 plays, no turnovers, 7:10 consumed—mirrored his college heroics, completing 89% of his passes on it. Forristall’s TD grab, his third catch for 31 yards all on that possession, was the exclamation point. Dallas had chances: a dropped interception by DaRon Bland on Bennett’s fifth near-pick (negated by a phantom holding call anyway) could’ve sealed it. But in preseason, it’s the numbers that predict September: Lance’s poise, Whittington’s explosion, and Aubrey’s reliability for Dallas; Bennett’s grit and Karty’s clutch for LA.
This game wasn’t pretty—13 penalties, 70 combined punts avoided—but the big plays etched memories. The Cowboys’ defense generated 4.2 points per turnover forced, while the Rams’ O-line allowed just one sack despite Bennett’s wild throws. Advanced metrics? Lance’s air yards per attempt (7.2) showed deep-shot intent; Whittington’s PFF grade (89.2 receiving) screams roster lock. As both teams gear up, these Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match player stats serve as a blueprint: turnovers kill, but big plays resurrect.
FAQ
Q: Who had the most receiving yards in the Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match? A: Jordan Whittington led with 74 yards on 6 receptions, including a pivotal 34-yard big play.
Q: How many interceptions did Stetson Bennett throw? A: Bennett threw four interceptions but redeemed himself with the game-winning TD drive.
Q: What was the longest field goal made in the game? A: Brandon Aubrey’s 52-yarder for the Cowboys, which extended their lead to 12-6 late in the fourth quarter.
