When the Los Angeles Rams travel to take on the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday, the most anticipated competition won’t be between the two teams on the field—it will be Stetson Bennett against Ty Simpson.
Bennett has the upper hand as the starter in sultry Kansas City. He will enjoy a far superior supporting cast. Simpson could be joined by players who may not be on the roster in as soon as a few weeks.
Savvy spectators will attempt to gauge the quarterbacks not by outcomes but by process. It could look ugly overall for the Rams offense by the time Simpson steps onto the field. Pinpoint passes could fall incomplete. Rushers could go unblocked.
Adequate offensive linemen are a finite commodity at the professional level. Most NFL teams can barely field a competent starting five, let alone go two or three deep at the position.
The degree of difficulty for Simpson is certainly higher.
Let’s take a glimpse at who will likely be on the field with the second and third string offenses:
Potential Supporting Cast .supporting-cast-wrap { max-width: 1000px; margin: 0 auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #1b2a41; } .supporting-cast-title { margin: 0 0 16px; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; color: #003594; } .supporting-cast-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background: #ffffff; font-size: 15px; } .supporting-cast-table th, .supporting-cast-table td { padding: 12px 14px; border: 1px solid #d1d5db; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; } .supporting-cast-table thead th { background: #003594; color: #ffffff; border-bottom: 4px solid #ffa300; font-weight: 700; } .supporting-cast-table thead th:first-child { width: 17%; } .supporting-cast-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #f7faff; } .supporting-cast-table tbody th { background: #e8f0fb; color: #003594; border-left: 4px solid #ffa300; font-weight: 700; white-space: nowrap; } .supporting-cast-label { display: block; margin-bottom: 4px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.04em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #003594; } .supporting-cast-list { margin: 0; padding-left: 18px; } .supporting-cast-list li { margin: 0 0 4px; } @media (max-width: 760px) { .supporting-cast-table { display: block; overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap; } .supporting-cast-table th, .supporting-cast-table td { min-width: 180px; } .supporting-cast-table th:first-child, .supporting-cast-table td:first-child { min-width: 120px; } }Potential Supporting Cast
| Position | Bennett | Simpson |
|---|---|---|
| Receivers | Maybe’s
| Maybe’s
|
| Running backs | Probably’s
| Maybe’s
|
| Tight ends | Probably’s
| Maybe’s
|
| Offensive line | Probably’s
| Maybe’s
|
Bennett will likely be working with names most Rams fans know. Simpson could be surrounded by more unknown players who may never find their way into the NFL regular season.
This works both ways, of course. Simpson will also face a lesser challenge from the defense. Still, The Rams are deep on offense and Bennett stands to benefit more than the rookie.
Saturday night against the Chiefs will be an all-important check in to see who will finish atop the quarterback battle. Dramatically different showings could alter the roster outlook at football’s most important position.
Can Simpson defy the disadvantage to come out on top?