game thread–Saints, 8/22 (broadcast: Long, Rodrigue, Hav)

[zn]

All user posts, tweets, articles, vids, drone footage, inter-dimensional scans, paintings, and celebratory pastries related to today’s PS game go in this thread.

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TV Coverage: CBS LA (locally in Los Angeles)
Play-by-Play: JB Long
Color Analysts: Rob Havenstein and Jourdan Rodrigue

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[zn]

Wesley Bailey gets to the QB 😤

📺 @CBSLosAngeles | 📲 https://t.co/UrUy0EOL9I pic.twitter.com/0AfB2CvOoT

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 22, 2026

[wv]

He beat Alex Wollschlaeger, undrafted rookie out of Kentucky.

Bailey, undrafted out of Louisville. 6’5″ 265 lbs.

AI Overview Wesley Bailey recorded a 4.69-second 40-yard dash and a 1.53-second 10-yard split during his athletic testing.At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, the Los Angeles Rams edge rusher displays very good overall speed for his size, earning a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.83 out of 10.00. His acceleration and burst metrics are highlighted by analysts as a strong part of his initial quickness off the line of scrimmage.

[joemad]

The Rams preseason defense playing good in this 1st half

Rams offense looks good. Nice quick drive to finish half to get FG. Stetson Bennet the 4th (IV) looks good!

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 1 day ago by joemad.

[zn]

Greg Beacham@gregbeacham
Big LB Wesley Bailey is really popping on the Rams’ defense today. He has 4 tackles, a sack, 2 QB hits, and he’s currently getting serious push on the Saints’ right-side OL during this 2-minute drive.

And now Wesley Bailey forces a goal-line fumble and the Rams recover. He is having about as big of an impact as it’s possible to have in the 2nd preseason game.

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Stu Jackson@StuJRams
5 total tackles (1 for loss), 3 QB hits, 1 sack and now 1 forced fumble for OLB Wesley Bailey, recovered by DL Payton Zdroik.

Bailey’s had a great game today.

[zn]

Rams 2 takeaways in the redzone this half. 😮

I approve.

[zn]

Watch: Rams S Alex Cook returns interception 100 yards for pick-six

📸 Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/rvJ4xf9tj2 pic.twitter.com/EKdGxpMC93

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) August 22, 2026

[wv]

I saw the first half and I think Stetson is exactly what he has always been: a mediocre QB who will throw a lot of INTs.

Saints need to bring Jim Haslett back. Or Bum Philips.

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[zn]

RB. Waters is pretty good. But Hunter has more zippity-do-dah to his game, plus he’s physically aggressive in there. I had wondered about Hunter last year, now I think he’s another Rams low-round RB hit.

Both Waters and Hunter have THE Rams RB prerequisite raw talent–good contact balance.

[zn]

ALEX COOK GOES THE LENGTH OF THE FIELD 🤯

He ran a total distance of 118.38 yards on this pick-6, per @NextGenStats 💨

Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/zk3JGARYiq

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) August 22, 2026

[zn]

Jarquez Hunter slashing, dashing and DESTROYING all Saints defenders pic.twitter.com/34LbhqQgtN

— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) August 22, 2026

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[zn]

5 Takeaways from Rams’ 34-0 preseason Week 2 win over Saints

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/5-takeaways-from-rams-34-0-preseason-week-2-win-over-saints-qb-usage-olb-wesley-bailey-and-dbs-making-plays-and-more?utm_source=sfmcemail&utm_medium=082226_GameRecap_Saints&utm_campaign=08_22_2026&utm_term=5+Takeaways+-+Saints&utm_id=144447&sfmc_id=00QUW00000S9vHH2AZ&aid=&CFC_RAMS=082226_GameRecap_Saints

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Rams’ 34-0 home preseason win over the Saints on Saturday featured a different usage of quarterbacks Stetson Bennett IV and Ty Simpson, and plenty of plays made by their defense. Bennett had two rushing touchdowns and led Los Angeles on scoring drives on four of the the five series he played in the first half. Simpson took over in the second half, but with L.A. up 27-0 by that time.

Meanwhile, the Rams defense notched a pair of takeaways and was led by the individual efforts of outside linebacker Wesley Bailey, safety Alex Cook and others.

Here are five takeaways from the contest:

1) Quarterbacks each get a half, with Bennett starting the first and Simpson taking over in the second.

Bennett’s first drive stalled because of a false start penalty against offensive lineman Blake Hance. On the second, Bennett nearly connected with wide receiver Tyler Scott for a touchdown, but just overthrew him deep (Scott could only get a hand on it after stretching out his right arm). Bennett still found Scott for a fourth-down conversion completion on an impressive catch by Scott. That second series also had a false start penalty, this time on offensive lineman Bill Murray, stalling it at Saints 8 forcing the Rams to settle for a 26-yard field goal by kicker Harrison Mevis. On his third series, Bennett scrambled and dove at pylon for a 1-yard touchdown run; he was originally ruled short of goal line but that call was overturned upon a successful challenge by the Rams.

Simpson entered midway through third quarter – the first time Rams offense took field in second half – but with a 27-0 lead behind him, so he wasn’t asked to do much given circumstances. He did lead a scoring drive on his third series, capped by a 12-yard touchdown run by running back Jarquez Hunter. Simpson finished 8-for-12 passing for 73 yards.

2) Bailey’s big day: The undrafted free agent signee out of the University of Louisville paced the Rams’ defense with five total tackles (one for loss), one sack, three QB hits and one forced fumble.

3) Takeaways for days: Safety Alex Cook took a pick-six 100 yards to the house with 9:06 left in the third quarter to give the Rams a 27-point lead. Then late in the third quarter, Bailey’s forced fumble inside the Saints 5-yard line was recovered by defensive lineman Payton Zdroik. While the ensuing drive after the fumble recovery didn’t amount to points, it still kept New Orleans out of the endzone.

4) Cornerbacks shine: Al’zillion “AZ” Hamilton got a pick of his own at the beginning of the second quarter, while Cam Lampkin had an impressive 4th down pass breakup with 7:06 left in the first half. On the drive following the turnover on downs, Bennett rushed for second touchdown of the afternoon.

5) Keir Thomas II ruled out with groin injury, Daniel Rickert ruled out with knee injury. Thomas’ injury is a tough blow to L.A.’s outside linebacker depth, given his experience and also how well he played well in its preseason opener last week. Rickert was a free agent signing on Aug. 7

[zn]

Nate Atkins@NateAtkins_
Wesley Bailey has been the Rams’ best player so far this preseason.

Underdog NFL@UnderdogNFL
Jarquez Hunter so far today:

12 carries
68 rushing yards
1 TD

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from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/08/22/rams-saints-preseason-win-standouts-best-players/91425805007/?taid=6a8a31242f77dd0001a5bb11&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

RT Austin Blaske

Keagen Trost is injured right now but Blaske has been a bright spot at right tackle. He played well against the Saints, both in pass protection and the run game, making a case to stick on the practice squad if he does get cut next weekend.

The Rams didn’t allow a single sack and gained 5 yards per carry on the ground, a testament to the play of the entire offensive line.

[wv]

Saints may have been ‘tired.’

[zn]

wv wrote:

Saints may have been ‘tired.’

Well I quickly got tired of them.

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[zn]

Wesley Bailey records sack and forced fumble for Rams in a day where Sean McVay ‘felt his presence all day’

Zach Edwards

https://www.therams.com/news/outside-linebacker-wesley-bailey-records-sack-and-forced-fumble-for-rams-in-a-day-where-head-coach-sean-mcvay-felt-his-presence-all-day-saints

Near the end of the first quarter, Rams outside linebacker Wesley Bailey rushed his way toward Saints quarterback Zach Wilson. Bailey muscled past the right tackle and wrapped up Wilson for the sack.

The sack was Bailey’s first in a Rams uniform, but it wasn’t the first time he ended that type of play with a celebration that includes him creating a heart with his hands and pointing it up to the sky.

Every time Bailey records a sack, he finishes the play the same way. He does so to honor his late mother who passed away when he was just 5 years old, as well as his three sisters. Now, he was able to do so on an NFL field.

“It definitely is a blessing,” Bailey said postgame. “I’ve been doing this since 2021, that’s when I got my first sack. So to be able to do it on the next stage is definitely a blessing. Definitely, just glad to be here.”

Bailey had multiple standout plays on defense and he’s an undrafted rookie out of Louisville looking to use the preseason as a chance to showcase what he’s able to do on the field in live play.

On Saturday against the Saints, Bailey’s first NFL sack wasn’t even his best play. The Saints marched their way down into the red zone, and for the second time on Saturday afternoon, the Rams came away with a red zone turnover. Bailey ran up behind the ball carrier and punched the ball out at about the 4-yard line and defensive lineman Payton Zdroik pounced on top of it.

“Just being able to get a red zone turnover is great,” Bailey said. “In that situation, they’re guaranteed three (points for them), and so for them to come out with nothing is definitely great. So great opportunity, for sure.”

Bailey didn’t even realize it was Zdroik who got on top of it until “10 minutes ago,” he said in the locker room after the game. The play was emblematic of the extra effort and presence Bailey has had on the field throughout the preseason so far.

“I thought you felt his presence all day,” McVay said. “He did a great job, played a bunch of snaps. He’s gotten a lot of reps, even just because of some of the injuries that we’ve had throughout a camp or guys being out where he’s taking reps with the ones, he’s playing a lot of reps in both of these preseason games. I thought his body of work today compared to last week was really (an) improvement, and he did some really good things last week. To force the fumble, I’ve mentioned it before, there’s certain guys you just feel on defense where you just know they’re making their presence felt, and that was how I felt about Wes Bailey all day today.”

Stringing together back-to-back games, Bailey improved from last week to this week. Against the Chiefs last weekend, Bailey recorded two tackles and generated pressure in the backfield on multiple occasions. On Saturday against the Saints, he had the sack and forced fumble and also added four quarterback hits and five tackles.

Bailey acknowledged that “it definitely is a jump from high school, college to NFL.” Although many of the plays he made came from individual effort getting to the quarterback or ball carrier, Bailey credits the culture and Rams organization as a whole for the success he’s had so far through the first two weeks of the preseason.

“It’s just being a part of this Rams organization,” Bailey said when asked what’s allowed him to play so free and make a big impact. “We have a great D-line coach, outside linebacker (coach), DC, head coach, and all throughout the staff. So I think it’s allowed me to play free and just keep balling and having great teammates to be there as well. I had opportunities, and I was able to take advantage of it.”

[wv]

I watched some old interview-clips of Wesley when he was at Louisville. He almost seems to nice to be a pass-rusher/special-teams-guy. I’m glad he’s nice, but i hope he has the tiger in him to be an NFL disruptor.

[zn]

wv wrote:

He almost seems to nice to be a pass-rusher/special-teams-guy.

He’s Canadian. Not to stereotype too much, but Canadians just have modestly sweet dispositions.

So if he becomes the edge rusher he promises to be, he will also be the one who extends a hand to help the quarterback up afterwards.

[zn]

zn wrote:

Underdog NFL@UnderdogNFL
Jarquez Hunter so far today:

12 carries
68 rushing yards
1 TD

from old posts on Hunter:

1.

STRENGTHS:
● Densely built with bricks and mortar
● Teammates tell tales of his legendary weight-room work ethic (squatted 600 pounds as freshman)
● Led SEC with 6.4 yards per carry in 2024
● Terrific run balance to drop pads and keep feet through contact
● Defenders better finish him to the ground, because he won’t surrender easily
● Hits burst button when given a lane
● Ability to slash angles leads to chunk runs (42 carries of 10 yards or more sixth most in the FBS in 2024)
● Caught ball well as a screen target
● Regular on kickoff coverage all four seasons (10 career tackles on special teams)
● Also has experience returning kicks — averaged 20.7 yards per return (25 attempts for 517 yards)
● Rushing production improved each of his four seasons

WEAKNESSES:
● Inconsistent vision working through all the smoke at line of scrimmage
● More likely to barrel into first-level bodies than show patience for developing holes
● Setting up moves at second level isn’t natural for him
● Struggles to quickly regain speed after being slowed down
● Fumbled three times on 187 carries in 2024
● Missed assignments in pass pro and communication needs to be better
● Has projectable frame as blocker, but blitzing linebackers can give him the shake
● Scouts say there are “no concerns” about his character, but Hunter was briefly suspended from the team during 2023 offseason

2.

Adam GrosbardAdamGrosbard
Per PFF, new Rams RB Jarquez Hunter averaged 4.1 yards *after contact* per carry in 2024

3.

InvaderRam wrote:

well apparently he majored in natural resources management. graduated with a bachelor’s in three years and was in the sec academic honor roll all four years he was there. was pursuing a graduate degree his last year there. so the intangibles would seem to be there. you have no worries about him being able to handle a playbook or being motivated.

also squatted 600 pounds in college. according to hunter it was actually 655 pounds before the strength coach wouldn’t let him do anymore. for comparison saquon barkley squatted 585 pounds. that’s crazy.

4.

Tale Of The Tape

Hunter is a strong, urgent runner who makes the most of his opportunities to slash and gouge the opposing front. He’s got good pop when breaking into a crease and showcases the ability to burst upfield. This will be a useful tool in his belt for executing zone runs on the inside, although he does have sufficient speed to take runs to the perimeter as well.

Hunter is best with his pads north, however. It allows him to build momentum and run behind his frame. Hunter is built low to the ground and poses challenges for defenders to try to work up and underneath his pads.

[wv]

Greg Rosenthal ‘confounded’ by Rams approach with Ty.

[zn]

Stetson Bennett gets moxie back vs. Saints, strengthens case to be Rams’ backup QB

Nate Atkins

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7532130/2026/08/23/rams-stetson-bennett-ty-simpson-backup-qb/?unlocked_article_code=1.7lA.PNNy.qz1Wculmw-Ee&source=emp_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

LOS ANGELES — Stetson Bennett rolled to his right on a fourth down, saw a pass rusher in his face and a cornerback draped over the receiver he needed to find, so he tried something he’s seen Matthew Stafford do time and again.

Bennett contorted his arm to toss the ball around the outstretched pass rusher, floating it over the New Orleans Saints cornerback in coverage and with a low enough trajectory to drop right into a spot where Tyler Scott could slide to make a 16-yard catch for a first down.

“At least give us a shot,” Bennett said of his approach. “I got pulled up. The flat guy got ran into, so I was thinking, ‘Just put it in a safe spot so T-Scott can go get it.’”

Saturday’s 34-0 win over the Saints featured Bennett playing loose and confident again, as he had earlier in training camp before something seemed to disappear over the past week and a half.

Perhaps it was the fact that he was playing a full half this week, with reps to build on and find a rhythm. Or perhaps the egg came before the chicken, and that throw — just his eighth of the game — got him feeling like he could play freely.

That’s how Bennett looked from that moment on. He scored two rushing touchdowns from the red zone, one on a designed keeper where he dove and reached the ball to touch the pylon, and a second after he dropped back, saw no one open and raced to a similar spot along the left sideline for the score.

Bennett finished 19-of-31 for 181 yards with no passing touchdowns, no turnovers and a quarterback rating of 77.5. The passing numbers were more safe than prolific, but they could have looked different if not for the open routes he pulled the trigger on that became pass interference calls, or a deep ball to Scott that was just a bit out of reach.

“I don’t think I put the ball in harm’s way today,” Bennett said. “Obviously, you have to keep the ball in play and keep it moving. That’s what drives defenses crazy. But it is fun to hit the big ones.”

This was the statement Bennett needed to make in a race for the backup quarterback role that had felt like it was shifting before this game. Ty Simpson, the No. 13 pick in this year’s draft, had the big performance in last week’s preseason game. Then the Rams began splitting the No. 2 reps in practice, with Bennett losing the efficiency and touch on the deep ball he had previously shown. Both areas looked improved against the Saints.

Simpson, meanwhile, only really got a mop-up duty sort of role based on how the game flowed. The Rams had slotted him in for the second half, but the Saints took the ball first for a long drive before Spencer Rattler threw a 100-yard interception to Rams safety Alex Cook, and suddenly Los Angeles was up 27-0 before Simpson got to throw his first pass with less than eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Simpson finished 8-of-12 for 73 yards, no touchdowns, no turnovers and an 83.0 rating. It wasn’t anything flashy, but it was another day he felt comfortable rather than overwhelmed by an NFL playbook.

“You just have more confidence when you understand where to go with the ball and understand the game,” Simpson said. “The game in general goes in flows. The more you have the pen in your hand, the easier the game is. Once I understand the same thing the play caller understands, it’s always easier.”

As of now, it feels like Bennett is back in the lead for the No. 2 role, but we’ll get more clarity on the situation when the Rams decide whether either quarterback will play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Wesley Bailey makes statement

The Saints were driving toward the end zone on the ground, and Ty Chandler was bouncing in and around the middle of the mush when Bailey dove in and punched the ball out of his grip and into the arms of Payton Zdroik.

Through two preseason games, Bailey has been the Rams’ best player on either side of the ball. Saturday’s performance against the Saints was the latest notch, as he finished with four quarterback hits, one sack, one tackle for loss and the forced fumble.

“I thought his body of work today compared to last week was improvement, and he did some really good things last week,” coach Sean McVay said. “He was able to force the fumble. There’s certain guys you just feel on defense, where you just know they’re making their presence felt. That was how I felt about Wes Bailey all day today.”

The undrafted rookie out of Louisville has looked unblockable at times in the run and pass games with his mix of 6-foot-5 length, a chiseled frame and the speed to dip around the edge of tackles in the pass rush and through the middle of double-teams, and across the bodies of climbing guards in the run game.

It makes you wonder how a prospect like this went undrafted. Bailey didn’t explode in any single season in college, but he had at least four sacks in a season at two different schools: Rutgers and Louisville. He also posted terrific athletic testing this spring, including a 1.53-second 10-yard split, which ranks in the top 1 percent of all defensive ends in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine.

“I’m going to continuously keep working,” Bailey said. “There’s going to be good days, bad days. I’m going to continuously have that relentless effort and keep going.”

The Rams are as loaded as they come on the defensive line, and that could grow even more unfair if Aaron Donald decides to come out of retirement. Los Angeles tends to reserve its backup spots for players who can move inside and outside and provide depth in multiple spots, which isn’t Bailey’s style as a pure edge player.

But the Rams have to know by now that if they cut him, they won’t be getting him back on the practice squad. It could make for a challenging decision between him and Desjuan Johnson for the final defensive line spot.

Quick hits

• This was another busy day for CJ Daniels. The sixth-round rookie out of Miami led the Rams with 13 targets, eight catches and 68 yards. Like he has most of training camp, Daniels did most of his work in the short range on slants and crossers, but he made a nice leaping grab along the sideline for 17 yards and a first down. He also had a route where he broke open vertically into the end zone, but Bennett overthrew him. He’s battling with Xavier Smith for a potential final wide receiver spot, unless the Rams opt to keep six this year in addition to loaded rooms at running back and tight end.

• Cam Lampkin continues to look like a heads-up, physical player in this secondary. He tipped a pass and made several physical stops from the nickel position, forcing the Saints into dump-off mode rather than letting them gain much out of the slot. He’s made some nice plays on the ball in training camp, and if he can find a special teams role, he’ll have a solid chance of earning a spot as the Rams’ fifth cornerback.

• Jarquez Hunter showed many of the rushing skills that had the Rams enamored enough to trade up and draft him in the fourth round last year, just to stash him behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Hunter was decisive in his cuts between the tackles, powerful in his finishes to runs and elusive in his moments in the open field. He finished with 12 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. But to find any playing time this year, it would have to be an injury to Williams or Corum or a role to emerge for him on special teams, which has not been a big part of his involvement in camp.

• This was an important game for Blake Hance and AJ Arcuri to get some reps on tape in what could be a battle for a back-end offensive line spot if either Justin Dedich (hand) or Keagen Trost (hamstring) aren’t available to start the season. The offensive line had some penalty issues at times, but it paved the way for the run game to average 5.0 yards per carry and three touchdowns, and it held the Saints without a hit on either quarterback.

[wv]

zn wrote:

He’s Canadian. Not to stereotype too much, but Canadians just have modestly sweet dispositions.

So if he becomes the edge rusher he promises to be, he will also be the one who extends a hand to help the quarterback up afterwards.

Hmmmm. Canadian. A nice Canadian. Well has there ever been a nice Canadian who was a topnotch pass-rusher in the NFL?

What we need is a savage, menacing pass-rusher from the dystopian united states. Maybe someone from the wastelands of Detroit or the rusting ghost-towns of western pennsylvania.

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