(Credit: Brevin Townsell / LA Rams)
It was a homecoming for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford won a state title in Dallas for Highland Park High School, and his family lives in the area. It was not the homecoming he imagined as Stafford left the game in the third quarter after injuring his thumb as the Cowboys (5-2) routed the Rams (3-5) on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Dak Prescott finished the day completing 25 of 31 for 304 passing yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He was sacked by the Rams defense three times in the first quarter; Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald recorded two sacks, and Michael Hoecht recorded one. Despite the sacks, Prescott connected twice with one of his favorite targets, Cedarian DeLeon “CeeDee” Lamb, 12 catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns: a huge day for both. The Cowboys scored 26 straight points to take the lead before halftime, 33-3. At the half, the Cowboys inducted DeMarcus Ware into the team’s ring of honor.
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Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford finished his day 13 of 22 for 162 yards, one touchdown, and one interception before leaving the game. Backup quarterback Bret Rypien would finish the game for Stafford, throwing 5-for-10 for 42 yards. The game leaders for the Rams were Royce Freeman, who had nine carries for 44 yards and one touchdown, and Darrell Henderson who had three receptions for 54 yards. Puka Nacua finished with three receptions for 43 yards, and Cooper Kupp had four receptions for 21 yards.
(Credit: Brevin Townsell / LA Rams)
In the first quarter, the Rams Lucas Havrisik would kick a 33-yard field goal to put the Rams on the board, 3-7 in favor of the Cowboys. The Rams would score again in the second quarter on a Royce Freeman 1-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion attempt to receiver Puka Nacua failed.
In the third quarter, Stafford threw a 20-yard pass to wide receiver Ben Skowronek and executed a two-point conversion. The Cowboys continued to lead, 33-17. Stafford would leave the game with the Rams trailing. The Rams would score again in the fourth quarter at 5:31; Havrisik would kick a 47-yard field goal, bringing the final score to 20-43. The potential loss of Stafford would be a blow to the remainder of the Ram’s season.
Rams head coach Sean McVay didn’t want to speculate about Stafford’s injury:
“It is his thumb. We’ll see what the significance of that injury is, but I don’t want to speculate until I have full clarification from the doctors,” he said.
(Credit: Brevin Townsell / LA Rams)
The Rams will face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Rams are third in the NFC West behind the Seahawks and the 49ers.
On a happier note, McVay and his wife Veronika welcomed a baby boy on Wednesday. The team announced the birth in true roster style: “Delivered Jordan John McVay.”
