NFL Preseason Week 1: Cowboys @ Rams – 3 Factors to Evaluate

For context, the outcome of this game will not truly impact much beyond roster construction; the preseason’s importance is figuring out which players on the bubble will or will not be cut from the final 53-man roster. Here are the important things to evaluate during the game.

This offseason, the Cowboys traded for Patriots QB Joe Milton. Milton played in his first career game last season, a meaningless week 18. However, he played particularly well: 241 pass yards, one touchdown on the ground and one through the air, and no picks. The Patriots actually ended up beating the Bills in this game, but of course, both teams rested a bunch of starters. 

Milton has already said that learning under longtime starter Dak Prescott has helped him grow a lot, and we will certainly get a chance to see him play as Prescott rarely plays in the preseason nowadays – I can’t remember him even dressing for a preseason game since his brutal ankle injury in 2020. 

When healthy, Dak has been great, but in the last five years, he has injured his ankle, calf, thumb, and, most recently, his hamstring. I know I’ll be watching to see what Milton offers as a backup, since we haven’t seen decent backup play since that wacky run from Cooper Rush 3 seasons ago. 

Next, the Cowboys will have all eyes on the defensive line, looking for potential stars in the trenches. With Micah Parsons’ contract situation becoming extremely sour, Dallas has to look for juice on their pass rush.

Notably, the Cowboys used their second-round draft pick on Donovan Ezeiruaku, a Defensive End out of Boston College. While rookies usually get some play time in preseason games, Ezeiruaku may have the most crucial, as we see what he has to offer in this current purgatory with a potential Parsons-sized hole opposite him on the Defensive line. It honestly wouldn’t be shocking to see him get the most time on the field of any player.

Ezeiruaku was projected as a first-round pick during the draft process but fell to Dallas at #44 overall. With 16.5 sacks (!!!) in 2024, he ranked second in FBS college football, so he is certainly a player to watch.

Lastly, potentially the most important aspect of these preseason games for fans to dissect is the way that new Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer calls plays. If you’re not aware, a large online community of diehard fans has been fed up with the conservative playcalling in Dallas going back two coaching regimes (a certain red-haired, constantly clapping head coach who shall not be named). 

Again, it’s the preseason, so don’t expect any flashy trick plays or crazy route concepts. But, between pre-snap motions, new cadences, pace of play, and more, it’ll be crucial to see what Schotty’s got to offer. He hasn’t yet spoken on who will or won’t be playing yet, though. 

The game will be played in LA and televised in the team's local market. If that doesn’t apply to you, preseason games are offered through NFL+. Check out future articles for breakdowns!