The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams have already crossed paths in 2024 by holding a joint practice on Thursday.
This time, both teams will play a live game at SoFi Stadium. But who will handle the broadcast duties for this NFC battle of 2023 playoff teams? Here’s everything you need to know about this Sunday afternoon showdown.
Cowboys and Rams Announcers, Broadcast Details, and More
- Start time: Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, 4:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network
- Live stream options: Fubo TV, NFL +
- Radio stations: KRLD-FM 105.3 FM The Fan, KVMK-FM 107.5 La Grande (Spanish)
- Starting quarterbacks: Stetson Bennett, Cowboys TBD
- Betting lines:
- Spread: DAL -4
- Total: 35
- Moneyline: Cowboys -200, Rams +165
The Rams broadcast team of Andrew Siciliano, Andrew Whitworth, Mina Kimes, and sideline reporter Curt Sandoval will be on hand at SoFi. Additionally, Tom Brady is in the building, according to Nick Harris of the Dallas Cowboys, for a test run on the FOX broadcast.
Brady will make his TV debut in Week 1 when the Cowboys face the Browns. After retiring in early 2023, Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million contract with FOX and was announced as the lead color commentator.
Despite being among a recent round of layoffs at NFL Network, Siciliano returns for play-by-play duties for Rams preseason games. Siciliano was also part of the Olympics coverage in Paris through “GoldZone” alongside his former NFL Network co-worker Scott Hanson.
Whitworth, a Super Bowl-winning left tackle with the Rams, returns to provide commentary. Whitworth is also known for comprising the pregame crew for Amazon Prime on Thursday nights.
Kimes, a popular ESPN personality and NFL analyst, is another returnee to the Rams’ broadcast team.
Sandoval, meanwhile, is a longtime L.A. sports anchor for ABC 7.
Cowboys vs. Rams Preview
The Cowboys have been tight-lipped about who will handle the starting quarterback reins ahead of their preseason opener.
However, former San Francisco 49ers QB Trey Lance will surely see some action under center, which will mark his official Cowboys debut.
“I’m going into this game the same as I’ve gone into every other game my whole entire life — college, high school,” he told reporters on Friday. “I don’t think that I’ll put too much extra in it. I’m not gonna play any harder than I have in the past, or not harder. Big game for me. Big game for us, so I’m excited to go out there and play well.”
He’s likely to split QB duties with last season’s top backup Cooper Rush. Dak Prescott, meanwhile, is likely going to be in street clothes on the sidelines as he’s not only rested in the last five preseasons, but is currently dealing with an ankle ailment from the joint practice.
As for the Rams, Matthew Stafford is likely not going to see any action and will rest until the regular season. However, the Rams don’t have many QB options outside of the Super Bowl LVI winner.
Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, himself a past Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots, was added to the roster during the offseason. It’s not known if the 32-year-old will see any action.
Sunday’s game, though, presents a major opportunity for Stetson Bennett as he takes the QB1 duties. The 2023 fourth-round draft pick never saw any action during the regular season, and stepped away from the team for mental health reasons.
Bennett sat out the entire season, and now, he’s won over head coach Sean McVay with his swagger and play during practices, per multiple reports. The two-time national champion quarterback for Georgia hasn’t played in a live NFL game since last season’s preseason finale against the Denver Broncos before he was placed on the NFI (non-football injury) list.
But, as Bennett told Los Angeles Times Rams reporter Gary Klein on Friday: “I’m excited to play football again.”
The Rams’ much-anticipated 2024 draft class is expected to earn some reps on the field, as well.
That includes the Florida State defensive duo of Jared Verse at EDGE and Braden Fiske at defensive tackle. Offensively, national champion running back from Michigan Blake Corum is set to make his own NFL debut in the Rams’ backfield.
Dallas will likely have first-round selection Tyler Guyton of Oklahoma handle some action at right tackle. He could end up crossing paths with Verse.
Second-round pass rusher Marshawn Kneeland from Western Michigan is another likely to make his NFL debut for the Cowboys’ defense.
Third-round linebacker Marist Liufau of Norte Dame is another highly-anticipated defensive rookie for Dallas this upcoming season, and he’s bound to see playing time Sunday.
