Rams takeaways: Stetson Bennett bounces back vs. Chargers

A week after delivering a game-tying touchdown pass in the final seconds against the Dallas Cowboys, Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett connected with receiver JJ Laap in the fourth quarter for a 47-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winner.

Bennett had said he wanted to build on the positives and eliminate the miscues that plagued him during the 13-12 win over the Cowboys, including four interceptions. And for the most part, he achieved his goals. He completed 17 of 31 passes for 213 yards with an interception and a fumble.

“Overall the operation and the execution was better,” Bennett said.

Bennett clearly benefited from playing the entire game against the Cowboys and from taking second-team reps during a joint practice with the Cowboys last Wednesday.

Facing a Chargers defense without star edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and safety Derwin James Jr., but one that included several starters early in the game, Bennett avoided most decision-making errors but could not avoid a costly interception.

After the Rams recovered a fumble in the third quarter, Bennett drove the offense to the one-yard line. But defensive back Deane Leonard intercepted a pass in the end zone.

Bennett, however, bounced back in the fourth quarter, finding Laap behind coverage to give the Rams a 13-9 lead.

Bennett, who did not play last season while on the nonfootball injury/illness list, said he continues to learn from mistakes.

“When you don’t play football for so long, you want it to be perfect,” he said. “But you kind of gotta make those mistakes to learn from it. As much as I don’t want to do that, it is good that some things like that happen.”