Rams running back Todd Gurley and defensive end Robert Quinn also did not play, as a crowd of 89,140 saw Cowboys wide receiver Lucky Whitehead score on a 101-yard kick return to welcome the National Football League back to Southern California after a 22-year absence. Second-round pick Jaylon Smith is recovering from a serious knee injury the linebacker suffered in the Fiesta Bowl.
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Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. “It was as if we had just clinched the playoff as far as they were concerned”.
But the Rams trailed 21-7, 5:15 into the second quarter, when Goff trotted onto the field to a large ovation. In a city of drivers, parking was obviously going to be an issue, so the Rams restricted Coliseum parking to season ticket holders, leaving the rest of the crowd to find local parking, and, reportedly, forking over up to $100 to local entrepreneurs to secure a single parking spot.
But Goff played only two second-quarter series. The two incompletions were a result of drops. Sean Mannion connected with Reynolds early in the third quarter to pull the team within 24-14. Then Mannion hit Aaron Green with a 9-yard TD pass with 1:54 to go to put them ahead for the first time, 28-24.
Mannion, a third-round pick previous year, completed 18-of-25 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns.
On his second drive, there was some daylight, as Goff hooked up with fellow rookie tight end Tyler Higbee three times for 35 yards.
Prescott finished with 139 yards passing, on his 10-12 effort.
“I think the best thing about Dak is that he is extremely calm”, Bryant said, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “It’s like he’s been here before”.
Goff, it should be noted, played with the second-string offensive line and rookie skill players, while Keenum had the starters and completed 6 of 7 attempts (with one drop) for 58 yards.
Boykin, competing with veteran Jake Heaps, replaced Wilson after one possession and had some good and some not-so-good moments before getting going on the final drive.
The speculation on who’d back up Tony Romo ranged from the sublime to the absurd.
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In an offense where the tight ends see the field a lot, Higbee would be a ideal fit alongside Lance Kendricks to help block for running back Todd Gurley.
