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Bennett Leads Rams Past Saints 34-0 in Preseason Opener

Stetson Bennett IV completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards, and the Los Angeles Rams shut out the New Orleans Saints 34-0 at SoFi Stadium on Saturday.

Knox Esparza

August 23, 20262 min read

Preseason Dominance - illustration, Jake Team LLC
Preseason Dominance - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NFLFinal
New Orleans Saints0
Los Angeles Rams34

August 22, 2026

A Dominant Home Performance

Stetson Bennett IV set the tone for the Los Angeles Rams, directing an efficient offense that dismantled the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. The Rams secured a decisive 34-0 victory at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in front of a crowd of 71,206.

The shutout marked a strong start for the home team, which improved its record to 2-0, while the visiting Saints fell to 0-2. Bennett’s command of the field was evident early, as he connected with receivers to move the chains consistently throughout the contest.

Second-Half Surge

The Rams built their lead steadily, taking a 3-0 advantage after the first quarter when Harrison Mevis kicked a 26-yard field goal. The second quarter proved explosive for the home squad. Bennett rushed for two touchdowns, a 1-yard score and an 8-yard score, each followed by Mevis’ successful extra point attempts.

Mevis added another 26-yard field goal to close the half, leaving the Rams up 20-0. The Saints, led by Spencer Rattler, who threw for 141 yards on 14 of 23 attempts, managed to limit the damage to a scoreless first half but could not answer back.

Defensive Highlights

The defense stepped up significantly in the second half to seal the shutout. In the third quarter, Alex Cook returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown, with Mevis completing the extra point to extend the lead to 27-0. The Rams maintained their offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter, with Jarquez Hunter rushing for a 12-yard touchdown.

Hunter was the team’s primary rusher, carrying the ball 12 times for 68 yards and one touchdown. The final extra point by Mevis made the score 34-0, ensuring a comfortable win for the hosts.

Key Stat Lines

Bennett completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards. C.J. Daniels led the Rams in receiving with eight catches for 68 yards.

For the Saints, Rattler threw one interception. Kendre Miller carried the ball six times for 22 yards, and C.J. Donaldson caught four passes for 51 yards.

The performance solidified the Rams’ preseason form, while the Saints faced a challenging start to their season. The game concluded with the Rams holding a firm 34-0 lead, showcasing their depth and versatility at home.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401873290

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Knox Esparza

Knox Esparza covers Pleasanton high school and area college sports.

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