Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams in preseason opener: Betting line, storylines and more info

The Dallas Cowboys open their three-game preseason slate Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams (3:25 p.m. CDT; NFL Network), offering an opportunity for young players to make their case for a job and inching the team toward meaningful football.

Specific television and streaming info for the contest is at this link, and below, you’ll find more details about the game.

Betting line: Cowboys (-4.5)

Over/Under total: 34.5 (via FanDuel)

Location: Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California

Forecast: 80 degrees, sunny, 10 miles per hour winds, zero percent chance of precipitation (Weather.com)

Three storylines to watch:

1) Roster battles

If the Cowboys choose to keep just two quarterbacks on their regular-season roster, will the backup be Trey Lance or Cooper Rush? Which end-of-the-roster wide receivers or cornerbacks will earn jobs with the team? Can a running back like Royce Freeman, Malik Davis or fan-favorite Deuce Vaughn separate themselves from the pack?

Preseason games aren’t the only sources of evidence the Cowboys will use to consider these questions and whittle their roster from 90 players to 53 over the next few weeks, but they do represent the publicly viewable portion of the competitions for spots. Buckle in.

2) Kickin’ ideas around

After the NFL instituted rule changes this offseason that reshaped the kickoff, the Cowboys and other teams around the league began crafting plans to adapt. Sunday, special teams coach John Fassel, returner Kavontae Turpin and kicker Brandon Aubrey will have a chance for a test run.

3) Welcome to the NFL moments

The Cowboys hold hope that their 2024 draft class includes players ready to contribute from Day 1. First-round pick Tyler Guyton and third-rounder Cooper Beebe will push for playing time on the offensive line, while third-round linebacker Marist Liufau has his sights set on a starting spot.

And perhaps no rookie has a larger opportunity to help the team than Marshawn Kneeland. The second-round defensive end from Western Michigan was positioned to provide valuable pass-rushing depth even before the Cowboys lost Sam Williams to a season-ending knee injury. Now, he stands a crucial member of the defensive end rotation.

For Kneeland and all the Cowboys’ rookies, preseason games represent a chance to make their case for large roles on the team — and to slip on Cowboys jerseys, step onto an NFL field during game day and soak in their new reality as professionals.