Stetson Bennett Struggles Big Time in Rams Shutout Loss to Broncos
Ahead of the grimmest day of the season, the Los Angeles Rams' performance against the Denver Broncos could also be described as grim. In the final preseason game for the Rams, any hope of capturing a win was ended quickly as the Broncos beatdown the Rams 41-0.
In a clash between a pair of former SEC quarterbacks, rookie Stetson Bennett vs. third-year veteran Jarrett Stidham, the latter's experience proved to be a major difference as he helped the Broncos get off to a hot start that saw Denver take a commanding 24-0 lead after two costly interceptions from the Rams' rookie.
The starts for the two quarterbacks were stark contrasts, as Stidham completed all six of his throws on the Broncos' first drive before they found the endzone. While Bennett and co., essentially went three-and-out after a first-play illegal contact penalty on the Broncos.
Then it'd go from bad to downright ugly for L.A., as following two consecutive pre-snap penalties, Bennett and the Rams were forced into a third and 15 on their second offensive drive. Needing 15 yards, Bennett tried to find DeMarcus Robinson downfield but was picked off by Broncos cornerback Essang Bassey, who watched Bennett's eyes right from the snap before making a play on the football.
Then after a Stidham touchdown pass which gave Denver a 17-0 lead, Bennett's final pass was an interception to Broncos' rookie linebacker Drew Sanders who returned it 32 yards, setting up another touchdown as Denver would cruise to the shutout.
While both of Bennett's prior starts featured moments of promise from the former two-time national championship-winning quarterback, he also had his share of bad plays. Yet, for the first time this preseason, the bad seemed to outweigh the good as he completed four of his nine passes for 14 yards with two interceptions.
After a performance like that, many will wonder if Bennett has potentially left the door open for Brett Rypien to open the season as the backup to Matthew Stafford.
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