The Los Angeles Rams misplaced to the Cincinnati Bengals 16-7 of their 2022 preseason finale and Sean McVay now should trim his roster from 80 to 53 with the Buffalo Payments on deck in lower than two weeks.

Bryce Perkins performed his fifth full preseason recreation within the final two years, ending with a good afternoon behind weak play by the offensive line however finally not in a position to assist the Rams rating sufficient factors. Los Angeles failed to attain some extent till early within the fourth quarter and the Rams’ protection was eaten alive by Cincinnati’s quarterbacks:

Brandon Allen, a former Rams QB, went 11-of-15 for 130 yards and third-stringer Jake Browning went 19-of-24 for 173 yards and a landing.

However L.A. has their very own preseason offensive star, perhaps the most important star of any participant within the NFL this preseason, as Lance McCutcheon added extra nails to any individual else’s coffin together with his third straight dominant efficiency.

These are the winners and losers (and a winner/loser) from Saturday.

Winners

WR Lance McCutcheon

If he had been taking part in for one more crew, McCutcheon would possibly have the ability to begin at large receiver this 12 months. The Rams’ undrafted free agent steal had 5 catches for 76 yards on Saturday. He finishes the preseason with 15 catches for 259 yards.

DL Jonah Williams

There was little doubt that Williams goes to make the ultimate 53-man roster. Who is aware of, perhaps Sean McVay has a shock in retailer. However Williams made the roster final 12 months and he’s persistently blowing up offensive strains in preseason, together with this week, solidifying his place on the crew.

LB Keir Thomas

Thomas bought the beginning and he’s pushing onerous to be within the dialog as a rotational piece on the perimeters, sooner or later, if not now. Thomas had two tackles for a loss, together with a sack, within the first quarter alone. He had one other big TFL within the second quarter. Thomas is in, proper?

LB Jake Hummel

He might be subsequent man up after Bobby Wagner and Ernest Jones.

OT Max Pircher

The Worldwide Pathway Program participant made his NFL debut late within the recreation—and seemed fairly good whereas doing it! He gained’t make the ultimate roster however needs to be a observe squad exemption and who is aware of, may make his common season debut in the future quickly.

DL Michael Hoecht

Added a sack of his personal on Saturday. The Rams look stocked alongside the defensive position and that’s even with out Bobby Brown III, who will spend the primary six video games on the suspension record.

QB John Wolford

Even with out taking part in, Wolford seemed extra just like the true backup on Saturday than Bryce Perkins did.

Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Occasions by way of Getty Photos

DB Grant Haley

Haley is amongst those that would want to make the roster on particular groups and he had an ideal deal with as a gunner on punt protection within the third quarter.

RB Kyren Williams

Solidified as RB3 by not taking part in? We may have anticipated as such.

Losers

RB Jake Funk

Funk bought the chance to start out this recreation and to be the primary ball-carrier for the Rams, however he misplaced a fumble early within the second quarter that ended a 66-yard drive on the Bengals 5.

CB Duron Lowe / CB Cobie Durant

Lowe dropped a simple interception and people are the varieties of alternatives that if nothing else, get you consideration for a observe squad spot or waiver declare by one other crew.

Durant gave up a protracted reception and he bought beat dangerous on the play.

G Chandler Brewer / OL Bobby Evans

Gave up an unsightly sack within the third quarter, resulting in a 17-yard loss and a punt. On the identical play, Bobby Evans got here up limping on his strategy to the sidelines. Evans and Brewer are two veteran offensive linemen simply attempting to make the crew as reserves and this play was dangerous for each.

Particular Groups

Trent Taylor took Riley Dixon’s first punt again 31 yards up the sideline.

Winner&Loser

QB Bryce Perkins

Is Bryce Perkins the man who can step in for Matthew Stafford if the Rams want a quarterback within the second half of an everyday season recreation or to start out a number of contests throughout the season? That was not evident on Saturday and although Perkins is an above-average preseason quarterback, I don’t assume he’s ever performed like a beginning NFL Sunday quarterback. He’s a band-aid, not a everlasting resolution.

The Rams struggled to seek out the tip zone and didn’t rating their first factors till Perkins ran in a brief landing early within the fourth quarter to make it a 9-7 recreation.