Saints suffer 34-0 preseason loss to Rams at SoFi Stadium
The New Orleans Saints suffered a 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at SoFi Stadium, marking their second consecutive preseason defeat. The Saints finished with 293 yards of total offense, committed three turnovers, and were flagged 12 times, according to team sources.
With starters resting after two joint practices this week, veteran quarterback Zach Wilson started for the Saints. Wilson completed six of 12 passes for 55 yards and threw an interception to Rams safety AZ Hamilton in the second quarter. The team struggled offensively, turning the ball over or being penalized on every first-half possession.
The Rams took a 20-0 lead at halftime behind backup quarterback Stetson Bennett, a former Georgia standout. Bennett completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards, rushing for two touchdowns. He scored the first on a dive to the pylon and added a second on a scramble in the second quarter. Bennett led the Rams on four scoring drives, including two field goals.
The Saints split quarterback duties between Wilson and Spencer Rattler in the first half. Rattler showed more efficiency but also threw an interception, which Rams safety Alex Cook returned 100 yards for a touchdown. The Saints also fumbled near the goal line in the second half and missed a 39-yard field goal in the final minute to avoid being shut out.
Standout players included Kendre Miller, who carried six times for 22 yards, and C.J. Donaldson, who had three carries for 15 yards and caught three passes for 46 yards. The Saints’ head coach, Dennis Allen, was unavailable for comment, but offensive coordinator Kellen Moore expressed frustration with the team’s performance.
Moore acknowledged the team’s penalties and said improvements are needed. “We gave guys a lot of opportunities in practice this week and we didn’t take advantage of those,” he said. “With 12 penalties, you’re not going to win most football games.” Moore also expressed optimism about the quarterback room but emphasized the need for collective improvement.
The Rams, led on the ground by Mississippi native Jarquez Hunter, who rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown, are preparing to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. The Saints will visit the Dallas Cowboys for their final preseason game Friday, less than two weeks after a joint practice that resulted in $500,000 fines for each team.
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