The Rams won their second-straight preseason game against the Chargers yesterday, 13-9. It was technically an away game at the Rams' home stadium, as both Los Angeles teams went head-to-head in Week 2 of the preseason.
A fourth-quarter touchdown from Stetson Bennett to JJ Laap secured their second comeback win in as many weeks. The second-year quarterback out of Georgia led both drives and has taken every preseason quarterback snap. The team has scored 13 points in each matchup.
Here are five interesting stats from the Rams' second preseason victory of 2024:
Stetson Bennett led the league in passing yards (213) and completions (17) this week
After tossing four interceptions last week, Bennett seemed to settle in earlier against the Chargers. Bennett was consistent through both halves, passing for at least 96 yards in each, highlighted by a 47-yard bomb to Laap in the fourth quarter.
Bennett has now led the league in passing yards and attempts in both weeks of the preseason. He's seemed to be more comfortable on designed rollouts thus far, but Bennett had some nice throws from the pocket on Saturday, and head coach Sean McVay is happy with his development.
"I think he's done a really good job of taking steps in the right direction," McVay said on Monday. "All we talk about is making progress... He is progressing, I've been really pleased."
JJ Laap's 47-yard touchdown is the longest Rams preseason touchdown since 2022
When Bennett faked the handoff and dropped back to pass just past midfield, his eyes were glued to Laap. He let the ball go with a high arc, and the rookie receiver out of SUNY Cortland ran under it to make the sliding touchdown grab, the first of his young career. Laap created good separation on the deep post and went untouched as he crossed the goal line.
The last time the Rams scored a touchdown of 47 yards or longer was when Lance McCutcheon hauled in a 60-yard touchdown from Bryce Perkins in the first preseason game of 2022.
"Just letting my instincts take over and really just thinking to myself, 'go make a play, it's time,'" Laap said. "I've been waiting for an opportunity like that honestly my entire life."
The Rams offensive line only allowed one pressure (per Pro Football Focus)
With three starters from the offensive line currently week-to-week with injuries, this performance was significant. Jonah Jackson, Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein are all currently injured, so seeing solid protection from the backups is encouraging.
Conor McDermott, Warren McClendon Jr., Zach Thomas, AJ Arcuri, Beaux Limmer and Logan Bruss all played 15 or more snaps in pass protection and performed admirably. Winning in the trenches will be important in a division with talented pass rush units, and it's valuable to know the Rams have sufficient depth in that area.
Jordan Whittington became the third rookie since 2017 to record 50+ receiving yards in back-to-back preseason games
The very first play of the game went to Whittington, as he picked up where he left off last week. His five catches for 52 yards put him in some rare company. Since 2017, only Rams wide receiver Lance McCutcheon (2021) and Panthers wideout Terrace Marshall (2022) have accomplished that.
McVay has said that Whittington will "be a factor" for the Rams this season, and he's showed why during the preseason. The rookie from Texas was a 5-star running back recruit coming out of high school and has utilized his tough running in the passing game to fight for extra yards. He's developed solid ball skills and route running as well, both of which have contributed to his league-leading 11 catches through two games.
Omar Speights now has the most defensive stops (eight) of any rookie this preseason
PFF defines a stop as a play that constitutes a "failure" for the offense – for defenders, it means they've made an above-average tackle. Five of Speights' eight tackles yesterday (between defense and special teams) were deemed as stops, which brings his total to eight stops in two games, leading all rookies and ranking second among all players in the preseason.
Speights brought the boom on his very first play, putting his shoulder through Chargers wide receiver Jaelen Gill on a first quarter kick return. Through two weeks, his 90.6 PFF defense grade ranks third among rookies.
