Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams Match Player Stats (2025 Preseason)

Preseason football can feel like a teaser trailer — flashes of potential, a few stumbles, and a lot of players you haven’t memorized yet. The August 9 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium delivered exactly that, but with an unexpected twist: a backup quarterback stole the show while a star sat out for a deeply personal reason.

Final Score (Rams vs Cowboys): 31-21 (Rams win) ·
Date: August 9, 2025 ·
Season Type: Preseason Week 1 ·
Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles ·
Winner: Los Angeles Rams

Who performed better in the Cowboys vs Rams 2025 preseason game?

Game overview and final score

The Rams jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never trailed. Los Angeles scored 14 points in the first and 14 in the fourth, while Dallas managed 6 in the second and 15 in the fourth (ESPN (sports statistics authority)). The final 31-21 margin reflected a clear Rams advantage in execution on both sides of the ball.

The implication: The Rams’ depth, especially at quarterback, gave them an edge that statistics underscore.

Key offensive plays by each team

• Rams: Stetson Bennett connected on two touchdown passes, including a deep strike in the first quarter. The offense amassed 364 total net yards per the Rams’ official box score (Los Angeles Rams (official team site)).
• Cowboys: Joe Milton threw one touchdown and one interception, finishing with a 68.6 passer rating. Dallas gained 297 total net yards (Dallas Cowboys (official team site)).

Six key stats, one clear pattern: the Rams moved the ball more efficiently and capitalized in the red zone.

* Small discrepancy exists between official team box score and ESPN. Rams official: 364; ESPN: 365. Cowboys official: 297; ESPN: 312.

The pattern: The Cowboys’ rushing efficiency (5.5 yards per carry) was a bright spot but undone by costly penalties and a passing game that couldn’t sustain drives.

What are the full player stats from the Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams match?

Passing stats

• Stetson Bennett (Rams): 16/24, 188 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 100.7 passer rating (ESPN (sports statistics authority)).
• Joe Milton (Cowboys): 17/29, 143 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 68.6 passer rating (Dallas Cowboys (official team site)).

Rushing stats

The Cowboys averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a team (Dallas Cowboys (official team site)). The Rams did not release individual rushing breakdowns beyond team totals, but their 4.2-yard average kept drives manageable.

Receiving stats

Bennett’s two touchdown passes went to wide receivers; no individual receiving stats beyond the box score are available from official sources. The Cowboys’ leading receiver (not named in the recap) contributed 45 yards on 4 catches.

The catch: Without regular-season stakes pressure, both teams emptied their benches, so stats should be read as evaluation tools rather than season projections. But Bennett’s line — 16/24, 2 TD, 100.7 rating — is hard to ignore for a backup hoping to earn a roster spot.

How did Stetson Bennett and Joe Milton perform?

Stetson Bennett: completion percentage, yards, touchdowns

• Completed 66.7% of passes (16/24)
• 188 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
• Passer rating 100.7 (ESPN (sports statistics authority))

Joe Milton: hits and misses

• Completed 58.6% of passes (17/29)
• 143 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
• Passer rating 68.6 (Dallas Cowboys (official team site))

Impact on roster decisions

Preseason games often matter most for fringe roster players. Bennett’s sharp play strengthens his case as the Rams’ primary backup to Matthew Stafford. Milton, acquired in a trade with the Patriots earlier in 2025, showed both arm talent and inconsistency. The Cowboys will need to decide whether he develops into a reliable No. 2 or remains a project.

Why did Dak Prescott not play and what tragedy did he experience?

Death of Marshawn Kneeland

Dak Prescott was not in uniform for the preseason opener after speaking publicly about the recent death of Marshawn Kneeland, a person close to him. Prescott addressed the tragedy in a video message, according to team reports (Dallas Cowboys (official team site)).

Prescott’s absence from the game

The Cowboys rested their starters as a standard preseason precaution, but Prescott’s absence carried additional weight given the personal loss. Head coach Mike McCarthy did not specify a timeline for Prescott’s return to practice.

Team and fan support

Players across the league voiced support for Prescott, and the Cowboys’ official game recap acknowledged the gravity of the moment. The team has not released further details out of respect for Prescott’s privacy.

The trade-off: Football moves on quickly, but the emotional toll of losing a close friend can linger. Prescott’s leadership will be tested as he balances grief with preparation for the regular season.

What is the history of the Cowboys–Rams rivalry?

All-time series record

The Cowboys and Rams have met 38 times including playoffs, with Dallas holding a slim 20-18 edge (FootballDB.com (historical database)). Nine of those meetings came in the postseason, with the Cowboys winning five.

Notable playoff meetings

• 1979 NFC Divisional: Rams 21, Cowboys 19 — a classic upset.
• 1986 NFC Wild Card: Rams 20, Cowboys 0.
• 2019 NFC Divisional: Rams 30, Cowboys 22 (the most recent playoff meeting).

Recent matchups

The teams last met in the 2023 regular season, with the Cowboys winning 43-20. The 2025 preseason game was the first meeting since then.

The pattern: History favors Dallas overall, but Los Angeles has won the most important recent games. This preseason result continues the Rams’ momentum in the series.

Who are the greatest Cowboys players and defenses of all time?

Greatest Cowboy quarterback

Troy Aikman is often cited as the franchise’s greatest quarterback, leading the team to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006 (Pro-Football-Reference (football statistics reference)).

Doomsday defense legacy

The “Doomsday Defense” defined the Cowboys’ dominance in the 1970s, featuring Hall of Famers Bob Lilly and Randy White. Their 1977 defense allowed only 10.4 points per game, a franchise record.

Top 5 NFL defenses 2025

As of mid-2025, Pro Football Focus ranks the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers as the top five defenses based on 2024-25 performance (PFF (analytic football rankings)). The Cowboys’ 2025 defense has not yet cracked the top tier.

What is the Cowboys biggest weakness and how can it be addressed?

Defensive struggles in 2025

The Cowboys defense has been criticized for inconsistency, especially against the run. In the preseason opener, they allowed 31 points and 364 yards to a Rams offense led by backups. Penalties (11 for 83 yards) also hurt the cause.

Offseason roster moves

Dallas made several moves to shore up the defensive line, but early returns are mixed. Seven other NFL teams identified and addressed specific weaknesses in the 2025 offseason, according to an analysis of league transactions (NFL.com (league analysis desk)), but the Cowboys still appear to lack depth at linebacker and safety.

Comparison to other NFC teams

Compared to the 49ers, Eagles, and Lions — all NFC contenders — the Cowboys’ defense grades as middle of the pack. Without improvement, they risk another early playoff exit.

What this means: For a team with Super Bowl expectations, a leaky defense is the Achilles’ heel. The front office may need to target a veteran linebacker before the trade deadline if the struggles continue.

For the Cowboys, the preseason opener laid bare a familiar tension: the offense can move the ball, but defensive lapses and penalties undo progress. For the Rams, Stetson Bennett’s performance offers a glimmer of quarterback depth that could prove vital if Matthew Stafford misses time. The Cowboys must shore up the defense quickly, or watch another season slip away to competitors who have already addressed their weaknesses.