Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys fall to Los Angeles Rams 13-12 in preseason opener despite 4 defensive interceptions

Published

1 year ago

August 11, 2024

Dallas Cowboys fall to Los Angeles Rams 13-12 in preseason opener despite 4 defensive interceptions

The Dallas Cowboys lost their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams which is an amazing feat given that the defense recorded four interceptions.

Cooper Rush started the game at quarterback, but for the most part this was the Trey Lance show. Again as noted the Cowboys defense provided the offense four extra opportunities by way of interceptions off of Stetson Bennett, but not a single touchdown was to be found as they instead settled for four Brandon Aubrey field goals.

The Cowboys took a 12-6 lead into the final minutes of the game before Bennett found redemption and threw what would be the game-winning touchdown. It was an interesting thing to see Lance in action as well as the new kickoff which the Cowboys did their best to manipulate for a heroic last-ditch effort. But nothing worked and they return to Oxnard with an 0-1 record in the preseason.

Below you will find our running update throughout the game re-organized so that it can be read in chronological order.

First Quarter

The Los Angeles Rams began things with a solid drive led by quarterback Stetson Bennett. Marshawn Kneeland stood out on the Dallas side and while the Cowboys did force a fourth down the Rams went for it and Bennett was able to scramble for a first down.

Dallas buckled near the goal line and the Rams ultimately had to settle for a field goal.

The Cowboys took over and it did not take long for Jalen Brooks to make an impact. His first reception of the game went for 43 yards.

Like the Rams the Cowboys settled for a field goal and Brandon Aubrey did what Brandon Aubrey does.

The ball quickly returned to the good guys though as Markquese Bell picked off Stetson Bennett!

The second drive was notable for the Cowboys in that Trey Lance took over at quarterback and Tyler Guyton took over at left tackle.

Lance got to work and took the Cowboys down to near the goal line. On 4th and 1 he threw just over the arms of Jalen Cropper for a turnover on downs. It was a productive drive for him, though. They just couldn’t cash in.

Second Quarter

The quarter began with an update that tackle Chuma Edoga had a foot injury (it was specified to be a toe issue) for Dallas and would not return. That is hardly a spot where Dallas can afford to lose anybody. Also of note as the period began cornerback Eric Scott Jr. was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

The Rams took over from where Trey Lance and the Cowboys couldn’t convert for a drive that began at their own 3-yard line. While they themselves failed to find the endzone they did walk away with points by way of another field goal. Allowing your opponent to score after starting on their own 3-yard line is not ideal.

Notably Cooper Beebe took over at center as the Cowboys marched back out. Trey Lance sprinkled things along and hit a variety of receivers from Jalen Cropper to David Durden. John Stephens Jr. even had a catch. Unfortunately Ryan Flournoy and Malik Davis could not keep the party going and field goal festivities continued and Brandon Aubrey squared the game once more.

Like with their first drive the Rams faced a fourth down and went for it yet again. They picked it up by way of rookie Jordan Whittington who was everywhere across the first half of the game.

Los Angeles seemed to be picking on Eric Scott Jr. and he was looking like the clear poor performer on the team in the first half. Until he had an interception!

Sometimes that is just the way things go.

Third Quarter

Dallas received the ball to start the second half and got moving a little bit. To this point in the game Ryan Flournoy had failed to really pop and after a drop he hauled in a nice catch while in traffic.

Unfortunately he moved early before a snap shortly after and set Dallas up with a second and long that they could not recover from. Mike McCarthy went for it on 4th and 6 and this time was a lot less close for Trey Lance than the fourth down attempt earlier in the game.

The Rams wound up punting which was certainly a rare thing for this game. Dallas took over and saw Trey Lance make an amazing play where he broke a tackle and scrambled for a first down but ultimately the Cowboys settled for a field goal attempt… from 65 yards out.

To no one’s surprise it was no good. The distance to gain on the down in question was 9 yards and you have to wonder if more could have been gained from going for it as opposed to a hail mary of a field goal attempt, but that was Mike McCarthy’s call.

It didn’t matter though as shortly after the Cowboys recorded their third interception of Stetson Bennett. This one belonged to Julius Wood.

Hard to be mad about 3 interceptions in a game.

Fourth Quarter

Things began with Dallas holding the ball after the Julius Wood interception and like they did for most of the game to that point… they found themselves facing a fourth down.

Given the exhibition nature of it all Mike McCarthy went for it again and Trey Lance could not find anything before ultimately taking a sack. Hardly the most impressive moment.

The Rams wound up punting the ball back to the Cowboys and Trey Lance dialed in a little bit. Soon enough the Cowboys found themselves in field goal range once again and this time Brandon Aubrey was true. It helped that it wasn’t from 65 yards out.

LA took over down by three and looking to pull off something special. It was at this moment that Stetson Bennett threw his fourth interception of the game. Seriously.

Brock Mogensen’s run back set the Cowboys up with incredibly promising field position, but Trey Lance took a sack on first down and a screen pass that got blown up on third down moved Dallas back significantly. Overall the loss was 11 yards which set Brandon Aubrey up for a 52-yard attempt, but he is Brandon Aubrey so all worked out.

But the Rams rallied as they were trailing by only six points. Bennett looked to throw his fifth interception of the game, but it was called back thanks to a hold in the Dallas secondary.

As fate would have it this day belonged to the Los Angeles Rams. After struggling near the goal line the Rams scored the game’s first touchdown in the final 10 seconds of the contest. Stetson Bennett got his moment.

That was the game.

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Notable Recent News

On Friday the Cowboys traded cornerback Nahshon Wright to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for Andrew Booth. It marked the second year in a row that they made a cornerback for cornerback swap with another team.

You can read more about Andrew Booth and what he offers the team right here.

Injury Updates

Obviously there are no inactives in the preseason, but there was a pseudo sort of list that emerged just before kickoff.

UPDATE: RB Royce Freeman, S Israel Mukuamu, OL Nate Thomas and DB Sheldrick Redwine all stood off to the side during warmups, indicating they’re inactive today. No sight of Deuce Vaughn.#DallasCowboys
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) August 11, 2024

Latest on CeeDee Lamb

The last significant thing to happen with CeeDee Lamb, his holdout and where things stand with the Dallas Cowboys occurred at practice this past week when a Jerry Jones quote about a lack of urgency on the issue caused CeeDee to tweet “lol” in response.

NFL Network Ian Rapoport discussed the matter on Sunday morning as well and noted it is just a matter of the Cowboys reaching CeeDee’s price point.

“It’s really just a matter of the Dallas Cowboys getting to where CeeDee Lamb needs it to be, getting the kind of substantial deal that one of the best receivers in the NFL get. It’s just a matter of when the Dallas Cowboys decide to do it.”

Jerry Jones offered an apologize of sorts on Sunday.

Up Next For The Cowboys

Monday, August 12th: Off Day
Tuesday, August 13th: Practice at 2pm ET (Oxnard)
Wednesday, August 14th: Off Day
Thursday, August 15th: Practice at 2pm ET (Oxnard)
Friday, August 16th: Off Day
Saturday, August 17th: Preseason Game #2 at Las Vegas Raiders (10pm ET kickoff)

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Dallas, TX

High 5: Reserve players to watch in final 2 games

Published

1 hour ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

High 5: Reserve players to watch in final 2 games

(Editor’s Note: Who doesn’t love lists? Throughout the season, ‘High 5’ will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2025 season.)

With the Dallas Cowboys officially eliminated from the playoff picture, it is now true evaluation time for the entire roster. This is a team that just landed five players on the Pro Bowl roster, with multiple reliable starters that were just outside the list of contenders. Meaning there is still talent on the roster to build upon for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

One of the biggest questions about the roster has to do with the depth at certain positions of need. Dallas stacks up nicely when it comes to the offensive weapons and promising defensive prospects.

Another year, another young backup quarterback with questions surrounding his future with the franchise. Last season, it was Trey Lance, this year it’s Joe Milton. Dallas traded a 2025 fifth-round pick for Milton in April and have yet to see what he can really do as a backup in this organization.

In just his second year out of Tennessee, Milton’s contribution in the regular season was an incredible Week 18 performance last season, a touchdown pass late against the Broncos, and a fumble late in the game against the Chargers. Now, it appears Dak Prescott will play most of the remaining snaps, but this may be the best chance to give legitimate work to a backup quarterback who could use it.

With all the investments made up front for the Cowboys interior defensive line, there is a clear outlook of where the team is headed at the position. Think about it this way, since Jay Toia joined the team in the 2025 NFL Draft, Dallas has added Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Perrion Winfrey at the position group alone.

In his rookie season, Toia has three combined tackles, one QB hit, and five appearances. His last active appearance for the team was in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders. As a seventh-round pick, he may only have the final two games of the regular season to prove his worth to a growingly busy defensive tackle rotation.

After a promising stint in the preseason with 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, Phil Mafah was just on the outside of the Cowboys crowded running back room when Dallas shelved him on Injured Reserve with a shoulder issue. He had suffered a torn labrum in his final season with the Clemson Tigers and possibly carried that over into his time in Dallas.

Mafah is an interesting case because when he was competing for reps in training camp, he was doing so against a full room of prospects who hoped to become the starter. Of course, it was Javonte Williams that emerged as the team’s primary back, while the only other running back that has seen success in 2025 is Malik Davis. Meaning a roster spot for 2026 is very much so on the table for the bigger-bodied tailback.

When the Cowboys traded a 2025 fourth-round pick for Jonathan Mingo, it was right in the middle of their hunt for a sustainable WR2 option. Since then, George Pickens and Ryan Flournoy have stepped into a solid second and third wide receiver role, while Mingo and Jalen Tolbert have struggled to stay on the active roster.

Mingo finished 2024 with five receptions on 16 targets for 46 yards, with the anticipation that he’d get more playing time and run with the first team guys in 2025. Not the case. He’s tallied only one reception on three targets for 25 yards and has been active for just four games. He is currently under contract for next season, but will need to take advantage of his very few opportunities to earn his spot on the roster.

Once a regular in the minds of Cowboys fans everywhere, Jaydon Blue quickly became an afterthought because of the emergence of Javonte Williams and Malik Davis this season. Instead of being a consistent change of pace runner in the Cowboys backfield, Williams has been inactive for all but four games this season. He registered a season-high eight carries for 29 yards in the blowout loss to Denver in Week 8.

Along the same lines as Phil Mafah, he’ll have just as much to prove going into this offseason than he did going into first season in the NFL. Ball security and pass protection were each reported as reasons that Blue was not a consistent presence in the lineup. He’ll have to show improvement in those categories, and use his athletic ability or speed to stand out.

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Dallas, TX

Mavericks vs. Pelicans Final Score: Dallas loses to New Orleans, 119-113

Published

13 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Mavericks vs. Pelicans Final Score: Dallas loses to New Orleans, 119-113

The Dallas Mavericks lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 119-113 Monday night in New Orleans, the second-straight loss for the Mavericks after falling to Philadelphia on Saturday.

It was also a second-straight clutch loss for Dallas, as the Mavericks once again couldn’t find any answers during the high-leverage possessions during the fourth quarter. Anthony Davis led all scorers with 35 points, while Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 24 points off the bench.

It was a really frantic game from the opening tip, with both teams pushing the paints and attacking the rim. Dallas trailed by double-digits midway through the first quarter, but eventually took a lead in the second quarter and into the locker room thanks to a throwback first-half from Klay Thompson. Thompson scored 20 points in the first half, nailing threes and doing some decent work inside the three point line as well. Davis’ half was a little uneven, even though his numbers were great, but he rebounded and scored the ball well to stabilize the Mavericks after a poor start to the game.

It looked like Dallas was going to blow things open in the third, as the Pelicans went ice cold from three, the Mavericks kept pounding the paint, and Davis continued to look like his All-NBA self. In the fourth quarter, the Mavericks let their own double-digit lead slip away, as the Pelicans finally made some threes, and then Williamson just roasted the Mavericks defense. The Pelicans went to Williamson almost every time down the floor after a three point from Jordan Poole tied the game at 98-98 midway through the quarter. Williamson either scored at the rim or got fouled. Dallas had no answer, whether that was Davis or PJ Washington.

The Mavericks couldn’t match the Pelicans intensity and they lost. A brutal loss to a bad team, one the Mavericks can’t afford if they’re serious about making a play-in run.

Here’s one major thought from the game.

Maybe the Mavericks aren’t that good

For a few weeks now I’ve had a column stewing in our content management system here at Mavs Moneyball. The title was “The Mavericks might be a good team, so what does that mean?” I’ve been wanting to write it for a while now, as the Mavericks steadied their play since the middle of November behind Davis’ return from injury, Ryan Nembhard’s surprising play at point guard, and Cooper Flagg’s continued ascension. It made sense, and even if the Mavericks weren’t truly a good team, they at least proven to be a competitive one that should make the West’s play-in bracket.

It might be time to tap the brakes on that idea, at least for now. Dallas has lost three out of its last four games, with two of them being to Utah and New Orleans, both teams looking toward the lottery than a playoff push. The Mavericks are now 11-19 and two games back of 10th place. While there’s still plenty of time for the Mavericks to make a push, the schedule is only getting harder: the Mavericks play six of their next nine games on the road, with the schedule evening out after the Mavericks were gifted so many home games to start the season. Dallas is dreadful on the road, only 3-9.

Some of that magic from a few weeks ago feels like it’s wearing off. Davis has still been good, but his defensive effort waxes and wanes as he’s relied on to be the team’s primary scorer. Nembhard has cooled off considerably, and the Mavericks are once again mixing and matching point guards every night to try and find a combo coach Jason Kidd likes as Brandon Williams has gone AWOL from the three point line. Flagg is still awesome, but he’s 19. Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington haven’t made sustained impact, with both dealing with some nagging injuries. The Mavericks are still playing hard as hell, but they don’t seem to have something else to rely on. It’s great to play harder than the other team most nights, but you have to be better at more than that to consistently win games. This is the NBA — playing hard should be the bare minimum, not a bonus. Other teams will play hard, like the Pelicans did in the fourth quarter, and once a team matches the Mavericks effort level, they have shockingly little counters past that. Kidd even went back to the double-big lineup in the fourth with Davis and Gafford together, and the Pelicans predictably roasted that grouping. But it feels like Kidd is at times just shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic.

Perhaps the Mavericks will hit another good shooting stretch, or Flagg will level up his game once more. But the Mavericks aren’t guarding well, they aren’t shooting well, and they are running into teams that are playing just as hard as they are. It’s a tough combination, and even if the Mavericks can find a way to regain some of that edge they had before this losing stretch, 11-19 is an awfully big hole to climb out of, especially with Dallas’ schedule being so road heavy to close the season.

Make one thing clear: the Mavericks aren’t tanking. They’re still playing hard. But it’s easier than ever to imagine some veteran trades getting done as we inch closer to February’s deadline.

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