The Los Angeles Rams didn’t play a single one of their starters this preseason, nor did they have any of their key backups on the field. Their second-string left tackle stayed on the bench, as did their third and fourth receivers and top four tight ends.
For the most part, the guys who suited up for the Rams are players who won’t even make the 53-man roster. And yet, Los Angeles still turned in a historically clean preseason over the last three games.
In their three wins over the Chiefs, Saints and Chargers, the Rams didn’t commit a single turnover, nor did they allow a single sack. According to the NFL’s GSIS Statistics, no other team this preseason can say the same thing. They’re the only team in the league that didn’t allow a sack, and they’re
one of four teams without a turnover; the other three all have one game left.
Furthermore, no team in the NFL since at least 1999 – which is as far back as NFLGSIS’s official preseason stats go – has gone an entire preseason without a giveaway or sack allowed. The Jets and Browns, both in 2022, were the only other teams since at least 1999 to go an entire preseason without allowing a sack. Four other teams in that span had zero turnovers in a single preseason: 2004 and 2022 Raiders, 2011 Steelers, and 2024 Seahawks and Panthers.
Granted, the preseason was shortened from four to three games in 2021, but it’s still a remarkable feat for a team that only played backups and reserves.
There were hardly any plays that almost led to turnovers, either. According to PFF, Rams quarterbacks had just one turnover-worthy play, and it was by fourth-string rookie Matthew Caldwell.
In terms of pass protection, the Rams only allowed 17 total pressures and two quarterback hits: one allowed by Blake Hance and one allowed by Bryce Henderson. Ty Simpson and Stetson Bennett were barely touched.
It’s only the preseason, but going three straight games without a sack allowed or a turnover is impressive.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams played a historically clean preseason with no turnovers or sacks
