INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Stetson Bennett passed for 181 yards and rushed for two TDs while leading the Rams to a 20-point halftime lead Saturday, and Los Angeles cruised to a 34-0 preseason victory over the New Orleans Saints.
Bennett went 19 of 31 while playing the entire first half for the Rams (2-0) before rookie Ty Simpson finished up.
Click to Gallery
Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Payton Zdroik (62) recovers a fumble during the second half an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman )
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) rolls out of the pocket during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson throws a pass during the first half an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) celebrates his rushing touchdown with teammates during the first half an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett reaches out to touch the pylon to score a touchdown during the first half an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Bennett is the Rams' presumptive backup to NFL MVP Matthew Stafford this season despite never playing in a regular-season game, but the former University of Georgia star turned in another in his history of strong preseason performances during his four seasons on the LA roster. He dived to the pylon for the Rams’ first touchdown against New Orleans, and he scored again on a scramble in the second quarter while leading four substantial scoring drives.
The Saints (0-2) stirred up their own quarterback competition with Zach Wilson and Spencer Rattler playing one half apiece at SoFi Stadium, but neither prospective backup to Tyler Shough stood out during a rough overall outing for New Orleans.
Rattler moved the offense better than Wilson while facing the bottom of the Rams' defensive depth chart in the second half, but the Saints also made two goal-line turnovers, with Rattler throwing an interception that was returned for a 100-yard touchdown by safety Alex Cook.
The Saints even attempted a 39-yard field goal in the final minute to avoid the shutout, but Tanner Brown missed it.
The Saints didn’t play their presumptive starters for the second straight preseason game after spending the past week training on the West Coast, while the Rams continued Sean McVay's decade-long tradition of resting every key player possible for the entire preseason.
Simpson finally got on the field midway through the third quarter, and the 13th overall pick in the draft again ran the offense capably, although he didn’t get as much of a chance to perform as he did while looking sharp last week in Kansas City.
Rattler, who started 14 games over the past two seasons with the Saints, got better drives out of New Orleans' offense than Wilson, the 2021 No. 2 overall pick who is on his fourth team in six NFL seasons.
Wilson went 6 of 12 for 55 yards, and he threw an interception to AZ Hamilton in the second quarter.
Rattler led a long drive after halftime, but his goal-line throw to Treyton Welch was intercepted and taken all the way back by Cook.
Rattler led the Saints deep into Rams territory again, but impressive undrafted Rams rookie linebacker Wesley Bailey forced a fumble by Ty Chandler.
The Saints finish their preseason Friday with a visit to the Cowboys less than two weeks after their brawl-filled joint practice that led to $500,000 fines for each team. The Rams stay at SoFi as the road team against the Chargers on Thursday.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Payton Zdroik (62) recovers a fumble during the second half an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman )
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) rolls out of the pocket during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson throws a pass during the first half an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) celebrates his rushing touchdown with teammates during the first half an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett reaches out to touch the pylon to score a touchdown during the first half an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
CLEVELAND (AP) — As thunder rumbled around Huntington Bank Field following Saturday's game, the Browns' confusing quarterback competition grew stormier.
Shedeur Sanders threw a touchdown pass and made good decisions in the Browns’ 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills in perhaps his last chance to convince coach Todd Monken that he — and not Deshaun Watson — should be Cleveland's starting quarterback.
Sanders, competing with Watson to be the No. 1 QB and start against Jacksonville on Sept. 13, completed his first eight passes. He finished 9 of 11 for 74 yards with an interception on a ball he threw behind tight end Jermaine Terry, got tipped and picked by Damar Hamlin.
Watson played poorly in the second half and was booed repeatedly by Cleveland's sparse crowd. Afterward, the 30-year-old, who has been a polarizing figure almost since his arrival in a 2022 trade, fired back at his detractors.
“I think the whole world knows. It has nothing to do about the performance. It’s a little bit more personal than that,” said Watson, who was playing his first home game since tearing his Achilles tendon in 2024. ”I think that’s a disrespectful thing.”
Watson dismissed the possibility that if he played better he would be treated more fairly.
"Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt,” Watson said, referring to the game against Cincinnati on Oct. 20, 2024.
Watson played into the fourth quarter and went 5 of 12 for 35 yards with an interception. He started last week's exhibition opener as the Browns (0-2) lost in Chicago.
Monken is nearing a decision on whether to start Watson, who due to his injuries and an NFL suspension, has started just 19 games for Cleveland since 2022 or go with Sanders, the wildly popular fifth-round pick who showed potential last season.
Monken said he wanted to watch game tape and talk to his staff before making any announcements. The Browns have been criticized for allowing Watson to compete for the job, given that he's injury prone, a pariah to many fans and Sanders has shown growth.
Monken, though, believes the competition has been good.
“I really am jacked with how we did it,” the 60-year-old said. "Some other people might not see it that way, but in order to make an educated decision on both players, we needed to see them both practice and play. That’s just part of it.
“It’s not the easiest or most ideal, but it gives us the best opportunity to see who gives us, when we got to Jacksonville, the best chance to win and score points. Because ultimately, that’s what matters."
The Bills (2-0) rested Josh Allen and most of their starters. Buffalo first-year coach Joe Brady was pleased enough with what he saw in Thursday's joint practice against the Browns from Allen and the other regulars to give them the day off.
Kyle Allen may have secured his role as the No. 2 quarterback with a solid performance. He completed 10 of 12 passes for 128 yards in the first half. His 9-yard TD pass to Mecole Hardman Jr. gave Buffalo a 14-7 lead.
Buffalo's Shane Buechele had a 71-yard scoring pass to Ja'Mori Maclin in the third quarter. Buechele also had a 5-yard TD run.
Following a 64-minute weather delay, Sanders was flawless on Cleveland's first drive, capping by connecting with wide receiver Luke Floriea for an 8-yard TD.
Before kickoff, the Bills issued a statement offering condolences to defensive end Ed Oliver on the death of his 2-year-old son.
Oliver has been away from Buffalo's facility for periods this summer in the aftermath of his son, also named Ed, drowning in June at a residential pool in Houston.
“Ever since I found out the news, I can’t fathom what he’s going through," Brady said. "As a coach and a father, there really aren’t words to describe it. It’s all about us loving him and giving him the privacy that he deserves.
“It’s hard when I see him. I don’t have the words, but all I can do is support him in whatever way he needs.”
The 28-year-old Oliver is in his eighth season with Buffalo.
The Browns have not given an update on starting defensive end Alex Wright, who appeared to sustain a serious lower leg injury Thursday.
Wright is being counted on to help offset the loss of superstar Myles Garrett, traded to the Los Angeles Rams. The Browns signed Wright to a three-year, $33 million contract during the offseason.
Cleveland doesn't have much quality or experienced depth at the end spot and may need to sign a free agent or make a trade. The Browns gave third-year defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. a look against the Bills. He got a sack in the first quarter.
Browns WR Isaiah Bond was checked for a concussion and cleared, and WR Malachi Corley went into the medical tent in the fourth quarter.
Bills: Host Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Browns: Host New England on Thursday.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Allen (11) is tackled by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (62) after passing during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Davison Igbinosun (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) enter the field to warm up before a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
