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The Los Angeles Rams closed out their preseason with a tough 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, capped by Andre Szmyt’s 37-yard game-winning field goal as time expired at Huntington Bank Field.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Rams closed out their preseason with a tough 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, capped by Andre Szmyt’s 37-yard game-winning field goal as time expired at Huntington Bank Field.
Browns Capitalize Late
Quarterback Tyler Huntley led the Browns (3-0) on a six-play, 46-yard drive in the final minutes. Huntley completed his lone pass for seven yards and added a key nine-yard scramble to move the ball inside Rams territory. The Rams didn’t help their cause, committing three costly penalties for 25 yards on the drive, including a 15-yard unnecessary roughness call on linebacker Tony Fields II that advanced the Browns to the Rams’ 33-yard line.
Rookie Quarterbacks Struggle
Rams rookie quarterback Stetson Sanders looked like a first-year player finding his footing. After an impressive 138-yard, two-touchdown outing earlier this month in Carolina, Sanders managed just one first down, went 3-of-6 passing for 14 yards, and was sacked five times.
“It wasn’t my decision of course,” Sanders said when asked about not finishing the game-winning drive. “That’s every quarterback’s dream, but I was happy Huntley got in and handled his business.”
Dresser Winn fared better, completing 15 of 23 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown. He briefly gave the Rams a 17-16 lead with 2:03 left after Jordan Waters powered in for a two-yard score and Joshua Karty added the extra point.
Ferguson Makes His Debut
Rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson, a second-round pick out of Oregon, finally made his preseason debut after missing most of training camp. On his first big play, Ferguson hauled in a 33-yard over-the-shoulder catch, showing off his size and speed. Though an apparent touchdown was called back after he stepped out of bounds, Ferguson finished with two receptions for 48 yards in the first half.
“It was a good play they called for me,” Ferguson told ABC7’s Curt Sandoval. “I knew my number was coming up. It was big for me to get that first catch, stretch the field, and showcase some vertical speed.”
When the 53-man roster was announced, Ferguson was one of four tight ends to make the cut, joining Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen. Fifth-round pick Chris Paul Jr., a rookie from Ole Miss, was released after battling a calf injury that set him back early in camp.
Roster Decisions and Stafford’s Health
The Rams also released Winn, leaving the team with three quarterbacks: veteran starter Matthew Stafford, free-agent signee Jimmy Garoppolo, and second-year backup Stetson Bennett.
Head coach Sean McVay addressed Stafford’s health earlier in the week, noting his progress while acknowledging the quarterback’s back issues remain a concern.
“It was good to have Matthew out there,” McVay said. “He did a good job today, but this is a day-by-day and week-to-week situation. Back issues can be volatile, but he’s making positive progress.”
The Rams finish the preseason 2-1 and turn their attention to final preparations for Week 1 of the regular season.