Stetson Bennett scores twice as Rams blank Saints 34-0 in preseason

The Los Angeles Rams dismantled the New Orleans Saints 34-0 on Saturday, controlling Saturday's preseason matchup with a backup-heavy roster while New Orleans collapsed under 12 penalties and three turnovers. With head coach Sean McVay keeping his starters out of action, the Rams relied heavily on Stetson Bennett's first-half workload to establish early dominance.

Bennett navigated an offense that built a 17-0 halftime lead, finishing the game throwing for 181 yards while scoring two touchdowns on the ground. Los Angeles held a massive possession advantage in the opening half, running 47 plays compared to just 26 for New Orleans and holding the ball for seven minutes longer. The backup offensive line provided clean protection, allowing no sacks while opening up running lanes for a ground attack that generated 151 yards at 5.0 yards per carry. CJ Daniels emerged as a primary target during the opening half, hauling in 8 receptions on 13 targets for 68 yards, according to Yahoo Sports reporting.

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The Saints struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball under Zach Wilson and Spencer Rattler. Wilson started the contest and proved ineffective, failing to lead the offense past 30 yards on any of his four first-half drives—each lasting seven plays or fewer—while throwing a critical interception that set up the Rams' opening touchdown. Wilson finished 6-of-12 for 55 yards. Rattler engineered a more productive second half, completing 14 of 23 passes for 141 yards and sparking a drive with a 25-yard completion to Jalen Moreno-Cropper that advanced the ball to the Rams' 6-yard line.

New Orleans could not sustain that momentum, however, as the night unraveled through self-inflicted wounds. Rams safety Alex Cook intercepted Rattler's pass intended for Treyton Welch and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. Later in the half, running back Ty Chandler fumbled after a 3-yard run, which the Rams recovered at their own 3-yard line. Beyond the three total turnovers, On SI notes that the Saints committed 12 penalties resulting in 96 yards, converted only 13 first downs to the Rams' 28, and were outgained 405 to 293 in total yards. Tanner Brown also missed a 39-yard field goal attempt late in the game.

For Los Angeles, running back Jarquez Hunter bolstered his roster stock by leading all rushers with 12 carries for 68 yards and a 12-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Ty Simpson served as the backup quarterback behind Bennett, maintaining his developmental standing as Yahoo Sports details.

The lopsided defeat leaves the Saints searching for answers as roster cuts approach. Following the final whistle, Saints head coach Kellen Moore took full blame for the blowout.

"Regular season, preseason, does not matter. Those are not the ones you want,"

Kellen Moore, Head Coach, via On SI

With the shutout loss, New Orleans falls to 0-2 in the preseason as mistakes mount heading into the final week of exhibition play.

Roster Battles Intensify as Exhibition Schedule Winds Down

According to Yahoo Sports reporting, Stetson Bennett's heavy first-half workload strengthened his bid to secure the primary backup role behind Matthew Stafford for the regular season. That same positional hierarchy placed Ty Simpson in a developmental holding pattern, where every individual snap remains vital as the exhibition slate concludes. Meanwhile, On SI notes that defensive additions like safety Alex Cook capitalized on limited opportunities, using familiarity with Rams defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake to accelerate his integration following a mid-training camp arrival.

• Los Angeles held a 17-0 halftime advantage after outgaining New Orleans 272 yards to 107 in the opening two quarters, according to On SI.
• Yahoo Sports details that Rams lineman Lampkin recorded 6 tackles (2 solo) and two pass deflections while pushing for a 53-man roster spot.

The lopsided outcome leaves both franchises facing distinct personnel evaluations as coaches finalize their 53-man rosters. For the Rams, standouts like Jarquez Hunter pressed their claims after averaging 5.7 yards per carry, whereas minor contributors face an uphill battle to avoid practice squad designations. As On SI details, the Saints must regroup from an undisciplined outing defined by 12 penalties and three turnovers before making the next step toward their regular-season opener.