The Rams preseason has come to a close with a 24-10 loss to the Packers. Here are five takeaways from the contest.
1) No starters
As expected, the Rams and Packers did not dress their starters for Thursday's contest. Before the game, Green Bay announced a total of 28 players who would suit up. Los Angeles did not do the same, but the visitors' numbers were similar.
2) One final impression
The fourth preseason game represents one last chance for many players to make an impression before clubs must cut their rosters down to 53 players. Over the course of the week, McVay talked about how this year provides a better opportunity for players to showcase their skills because reduction from 90 to 75 players was eliminated.
One Ram taking advantage of that chance in the first half was wide receiver Brandon Shippen. He caught six passes for 53 yards in the first half to lead the visitors.
Running back Justin Davis also had a nice first half, taking a screen pass 19 yards down the right side for one of Los Angeles' best plays.
"Just making the effort to make sure that there's no doubt in my mind that I left all my heart out on the field," Davis said of his goals for tonight's game. "That's the only thing I can do at this point. It's up to the coaches after that."
3) Orlovsky only QB in
While head coach Sean McVay had announced the starters would not play in Thursday's contest, he did not announce backup quarterback Sean Mannion would not play either.
Dan Orlovsky played the entire game at quarterback for the Rams, with mixed results. He threw a pair of interceptions in the first half — though one went off a receiver's hands before landing in the arms of a defender.
Orlovsky finished the first half 10-of-21 passing for 101 yards.
4) Westbrooks records a sack
Defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks had one of the Rams' best defensive plays of the game when he sacked quarterback Brett Hundley in the first quarter.
It looked as if Green Bay was attempting to set up a screen from Los Angeles' 16-yard line, but Westbrooks found his way into the backfield and took Hundley down for a 13-yard loss instead.
"It was just anticipating the snap-count, along with get-off," Westbrook said at halftime of the keys to his sack. "I was just hoping I wasn't offsides when I caught the snap-count — that's all."
5) Now, it counts
With the final whistle in Green Bay, the Rams' preseason has come to a close. Now the tough work begins, as the club must reduce its roster by 37 players by Saturday afternoon.
But the exciting work begins now, too, as Los Angeles can officially turn its attention to Sept. 10 and the Colts. From now on, every snap counts.
Football is back.
