Dominant Dallas defense can’t finish, Cowboys lose 13-12 to Rams

The Dallas Cowboys started to answer some of the questions posed to them over the course of the offseason. The opening preseason contest against the Los Angeles Rams was a bit disjointed, as expected, with each team keeping their best to the sideline in an effort to maintain health.

Both Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott stayed on the sidelines, allowing Stetson Bennett and Trey Lance, save for one series for Cooper Rush, handle the QB duties.Both offenses struggled, but the prowess of the Cowboys’ defensive depth showed up often, forcing four turnovers off of Bennett’s arm.

Lance’s offense could only convert those extra opportunities once, for three points, which allowed a game-winning drive with only four seconds remaining. The Cowboys defense couldn’t seal the deal and two penalties forced Dallas returns to Oxnard on the heels of a 13-12 defeat.

Dallas appeared to have their fifth interception of the game, but a defensive holding call gave the Rams renewed life. Later, a questionable personal foul on a tackle gave the Rams excellent field position and on fourth down, Bennett scrambled and found Miller Forinstall in the end zone for the win.

Finally getting back on the field after they way their 2023 ended in embarrassing fashion, the team was excited to get real action. Their opponent, the Rams were in a similar boat, keeping their primary playmakers in street clothes.

The backups couldn’t do much to move the ball, but the game still was able to elicit some intrigue and nervous moments.

The biggest takeaway from the game is going to be Lance’s performance, his first game snaps in a Cowboys uniform after last summer’s acquisition.

Lance finished the game 25 for 41 for 188 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He showed plenty of arm but very little touch and accuracy, with his completed passes rarely giving the receiver a chance for yards after the catch.

The club will return to Oxnard to get a couple of practices in before their second preseason action, Saturday night, against the Las Vegas Raiders.