Inglewood, Calif. — For his NFL head coaching debut in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, new Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer opted to keep most of his key players in bubble wraps. The game ended in a 31-21 loss for Dallas, as the defense struggled early by allowing two touchdowns and nine first downs on the first two drives, totaling 140 yards. While many starters and key players were resting, the depth players’ lack of full execution raised concerns ahead of the regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 4th.
The Rams dominated early, outgaining the Cowboys 160-1 in total yards and securing a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Schottenheimer admitted they played a very basic, “vanilla” style to avoid revealing their strategic plans in his first year. However, this cautious approach might have been overdone. Quarterback Joe Milton, who stood out as a backup, showed inconsistency but settled into a rhythm late in the first half, connecting multiple times with wide receiver Jalen Brooks and finishing the game with a mixed performance: 17 completions on 29 attempts, 143 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and 22 rushing yards.
Notably absent from the game were first-round rookie right guard Tyler Booker and third-round pick Cooper Beebe. Schottenheimer indicated this was part of a specific plan with more players expected to take the field in upcoming games. Rookie edge rusher Donovan Eyetouz had a solid outing, recording a quarterback hit, while running back Filmafa showed promise by rushing for 36 yards on 10 carries. Undrafted rookie wide receiver Traeshon Holden also made impacts late in the game with two catches for 42 yards.
Defensively, the Cowboys’ secondary struggled significantly, with cornerbacks Robert Rochell and Andrew Booth allowing big plays early. The Rams ran effectively, amassing 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries, making it a tough night for Dallas’ backup defense. Additionally, the Cowboys were plagued by penalties, notably illegal formations, that stalled their drives and disrupted rhythm.
Schottenheimer acknowledged the team’s need to improve discipline and execution as they continue the preseason and prepare for the regular season.
Fan Take: This preseason game highlights the challenges the Dallas Cowboys face in building depth and consistency under a new coaching regime. For NFL fans, it’s a crucial early indicator of how the team might perform against strong opponents like the Eagles, and it underscores the importance of preseason for developing second-string players who will be vital over a long season.
