Two high-flying and explosive teams never fulfilled the hype in the new $5 billion SoFi Stadium Sunday night. Pre-game air quality concerns and injuries to key players were the major topics of discussion while two teams tried to battle out a victory.
The Los Angeles Rams showed promise early as they were able to make plays at will and scored easily on the first drive of the game. Malcolm Brown scored his first of two touchdowns with 11:37 left in the first quarter to get the Rams with the early lead. After forcing the Dallas Cowboys to punt, the Rams missed a 29-yard field goal. The Cowboys’ capitalized on the miss and tied the game up 7-7 when Ezekiel Elliott scored on a 19-yard screen pass from Dak Prescott. The Rams were only capable of making two field goals on their next two possessions. The Cowboys missed a field goal of their own but was able to score a touchdown in nine plays and seventy-three yards before time expired in the first half. Although the Rams controlled the majority of the first half, somehow the Cowboys stayed in the moment and lead at half-time 14-13.
To start the second half the Cowboys only gained twenty-one yards in seven plays. Brown scored his second touchdown for the Rams on the next drive from two-yards out. The Rams never scored again. The Cowboys made a field goal with 1:50 left in the third quarter.
Mike McCarthy’s first critical decision came on a fourth-and-three at the eleven-yard line that never had a real chance. Rookie wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, caught a short pass where his route never approached the anticipated three yards needed for a first down. The Cowboys defense finally stopped the Rams with 2:28 left in the game forcing them to punt. Could the game finally draw some excitement in a stadium filled with zero fans? Michael Gallup caught a 47-yard bomb before getting overturned by a controversial call. In the questionable play, Jalen Ramsey appears to get pushed back by Gallup, drawing an offensive pass interference. The Cowboys never gained another yard as they turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth-and-twenty.
Highlights
That’s a @MallyCat_28 touchdown to open up @SoFiStadium‼️ pic.twitter.com/HeKVdD5zE7
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 14, 2020
Touchdown No. ✌️ for @MallyCat_28! pic.twitter.com/61NRBFAJ0O
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 14, 2020
The game-changing OPI call on Michael Gallup that negated a MASSIVE pickup pic.twitter.com/MjqBh4KNer
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) September 14, 2020
The Cowboys had severe injuries to two of their top key players. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is reported to have a broken clavicle and will miss some time. Tight-end, Blake Jarwin appears to have a torn MCL, but an MRI will be needed for further evaluation. The injury will likely end his promising season.
The Rams will travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles next week who lost to the Washington team after leading 17-0 early in their game. The Cowboys will host the Atlanta Falcons next week at home.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
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