With Andrew Luck getting a break, backup quarterbacks Scott Tolzien and Stephen Morris teamed up in leading the Indianapolis Colts to a 19-18 preseason-opening win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.
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The Rams’ first touchdown in their new-old town, a 14-yard run by Benny Cunningham, brought the day’s biggest roar, as though it finally made the move official. “I just basically want to do what I’ve been doing at practice”, Prescott said.
He also outplayed the No. 1 pick in the draft, Jared Goff, who came into the game in the second quarter for the Rams and threw an interception.
The coaches can not control if their players get injured during the game, whether it is the preseason or regular season. Well, the first play was a kickoff return that was returned for a touchdown, not the best of starts.
Goff did return for a second series and might have thrown his first touchdown pass, if rookie receiver Pharoh Cooper had not dropped the ball.
Mannion hit Aaron Green for a 9-yard TD with 1:54 to play for the game-winning score. With a 21-7 lead, the Rams had to throw the ball. Neither Goff nor Fisher believed the injury was serious. Two passes were dropped.
We are going to find out very shortly whether Romo will be allowed to get in a few pitches and catches with his wide receiver core and many expect that Dak Prescott is going to get the majority of the quarterback reps against the Rams, whether Romo decides to play or not. You know who else had a great game, Sean Mannion of the L.A. Rams.
He was two for two on his next drive, a 22-yard pass to Brice Butler followed by a flawless 32-yard strike to Terrance Williams for the touchdown.
Quarterback Tony Romo, rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, tight end Jason Witten and left tackle Tyron Smith were held out of the game.
Goff’s lackluster showing will certainly cause a few clowns to label him a bust already, but the Rams will be patient with him as he develops slowly into the quarterback they hope he can be. Tolzien hit running back Jordan Todman for a 42-yard scoring strike with 1:50 remaining in the first half.
In an offense where the tight ends see the field a lot, Higbee would be a flawless fit alongside Lance Kendricks to help block for running back Todd Gurley. Linebacker Mark Nzeocho picked it of and returned it to the Rams 38-yard line.
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On the field, the old familiar blue and yellow in the Rams’ uniforms was replaced with St. Louis gold, navy and white.
