NFL preseason: Jared Goff gets extremely light work load vs. Cowboys

In a decision that had some NFL observers scratching their heads, new Rams coach Sean McVay gave second-year quarterback Jared Goff just one series of work in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Cowboys, a 13-10 Los Angeles win.

Goff finished 3 for 4 for 34 yards and led the Rams to a touchdown on his only drive of the game. L.A. scored when rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp recovered the ball in the end zone after Robert Woods fumbled it following a five-yard reception of a Goff pass.

That wasn’t nearly enough reps for Goff for many people’s tastes, since Goff was less than impressive throughout his rookie season.

Meanwhile, receiver Sammy Watkins, who the Rams acquired from the Bills in a three-way trade Friday, did not dress for the game.

Neither Cowboys second-year QB Dak Prescott nor sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott played, either. While Elliott was handed a six-game suspension Friday for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, Darren McFadden provided optimism for the Dallas ground game. McFadden carried the ball six times for 28 yards, once leveling a defender with a stiff arm, and hauled in a catch for eight more yards. As noted by Pro Football Focus, he took all 19 snaps with the first team offense.

Impact rookies

Cowboys rookie defensive end Taco Charlton, the No. 28 overall pick out of Michigan, made his presence felt in L.A. Saturday night, tallying three solo tackles and this first-quarter sack of Rams QB Sean Mannion.

Tony Romo comparisons won’t stop now for Cooper Rush, an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan, where he started for four years, passing for 12,891 yards and 90 touchdowns for the Chippewas. He completed his first eight passes vs. the Rams and finished 9 for 11 for 104 yards.

On the other side of the field Saturday night, Kupp was a spark for L.A. He caught a 19-yard pass from Goff to move the chains on second-and-9 and a few plays later, recovered Woods’ fumble in the end zone for the touchdown.

Highlights

Josh McCown was sharp in his one-drive appearance for the Jets in their 7-3 win over the Titans, completing 3 of 4 passes for 72 yards and one touchdown. The key to the scoring drive was this 53-yard dime to Robby Anderson.

Tyrann Mathieu's 2016 season was cut short when he tore his left ACL and LCL vs. the Rams December 8. Plays like this will give Cardinals fans some comfort.

NFL preseason scores Week 1

Wednesday's game
Panthers 27, Texans 17

Thursday’s games
Dolphins 23, Falcons 20
Vikings 17, Bills 10
Ravens 23, Redskins 3
Jaguars 31, Patriots 24
Packers 24, Eagles 9
Browns 20, Saints 14
Broncos 24, Bears 17

Friday’s games
Steelers 20, Giants 12
Bengals 23, Buccaneers 12
49ers 27, Chiefs 17

Saturday’s games
Jets 7, Titans 3
Rams 13, Cowboys 10
Cardinals 20, Raiders 10

Sunday’s games (all times Eastern)
Lions at Colts, 1:30 p.m. (NFL Network)
Seahawks at Chargers, 8 p.m. (NFL Network)