The Dallas Cowboys got a brutal reminder of their notorious Micah Parsons trade this offseason when the Los Angeles Rams, an NFC foe, sold the farm for all-world defensive end Myles Garrett. To some, this move was even the perfect encapsulation of Jerry Jones' limitations as a team builder.
But I digress.
Los Angeles certainly tilted the NFL world on its axis with this blockbuster trade, sending a message to the rest of the league. Even for a Cowboys team that is leaps and bounds better than it was a year ago, that message was received, loud and clear.
There's a reason they play the games, though, and this seemingly Herculean task of taking down the Rams has to have a strong enough vantage point to attack from. On a mission to find out what that is, we spoke to writer John Sbisa of Ramblin' Fan, FanSided's source for all things LA Rams.
Spoiler alert: A late-season upset still doesn't feel likely.
Dallas Cowboys taking down LA Rams in Week 14 will be no small feat
Q: The Myles Garrett trade completely tilted the balance in the NFC. Do you believe that the Rams are now the team to beat in the conference and the league at large?
A: To hear the talking heads talk, that's what it would seem. On paper, I'd have to agree. Now that some of the post-trade high has worn off, though, it's probably a good time to acknowledge that power rankings aren't actually a sneak peek at the final standings. And I think, for the most part, Rams fans realize that.
Q: In a clear win-now window, is there any regret in LA about using a premier first-rounder on Ty Simpson instead of a player who can help fortify the attack right away?
A: I think some fans probably feel that way. It is tempting to imagine what Makai Lemon could do as a No. 3 receiver. And it's undeniable that literally any rookie the Rams chose would have a greater impact this season than Simpson will as Matthew Stafford's apprentice. It's not even a sure thing that Simpson will beat out Stetson Bennett - yes, the Stetson Bennett who hasn't logged an official snap in three NFL seasons - as the primary backup. But a larger portion of the fanbase has come around on the pick, realizing that the Rams were unlikely to have a better shot at securing Stafford's heir apparent. General manager Les Snead has a strong track record of prioritizing the present while still keeping an eye on the future.
Passing on a win-now contributor could become a discussion again if, say, Davante Adams gets hurt again, and it becomes clear that the offense could really use another wideout. On the whole, though, I think Rams fans are at peace with the selection.
Q: Cobie Durant has been a pleasant surprise in Cowboys offseason practices. As a Rams expert, do you think that this performance has been smoke and mirrors, or can he be a legitimate part of the Dallas defense in 2026 and beyond?
A: Durant is a quality starting-caliber corner, just not the elite one the Rams needed on a championship-hopeful roster. Dallas might learn that lesson the hard way if they task him too heavily, but he should be a helpful contributor for the Cowboys. That will be especially true if DaRon Bland can take some of the pressure off him by staying healthy and returning to All-Pro form as the Cowboys' CB1. Rams fans were sad to see Durant go.
Q: LA made the plunge for Garrett and Trent McDuffie this offseason. Is there an underrated move that the Rams made that you think will make a bigger impact than most realize?
A: In addition to the McDuffie trade, L.A.'s other moves to upgrade the secondary come to mind - signing Jaylen Watson in free agency and extending safeties Kam Curl and Quentin Lake - but I'll go with drafting rookie offensive lineman Keagen Trost, a third-round pick out of Missouri.
That pick could prove unexpectedly important with starting left tackle Alaric Jackson Jr. facing a potential suspension. It's certainly not a best-case scenario for the Rams, but I don't think it's out of the question that Trost earns a starting job out of training camp, depending on how Jackson's situation resolves itself and whether the team makes a late-summer swing via trade or free agency. Whatever you think of Pro Football Focus as an evaluative system, it's worth noting that there wasn't a tackle in college football last season with a higher grade than Trost. Even if he doesn't start, he should be first in line as a swing tackle off the bench.
Q: This Rams team feels pretty perfect on paper, but LA has to have a weakness or roster concern. What is it, and do you think Dallas is equipped to potentially take advantage of that?
A: L.A.'s linebacker crew feels a little weak compared to the rest of the roster, particularly in pass coverage. The Rams probably don't have to worry as much about the Cowboys' running back as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, but if Dallas can create favorable matchups with tight end Jake Ferguson or some of their supplementary receivers on slants or screens, there could be an opportunity for yards after the catch, especially against Omar Speights, given his struggles in coverage.
Q: On a roster full of strengths, what do you believe LA possesses that could give the Cowboys, in particular, fits in this matchup?
A: Rams fans will be eager to see whether the Dallas secondary can slow down wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Jerry Jones has his touted run defense, but even with No. 11 overall pick Caleb Downs at safety, the secondary may need some reinforcements to deal with a receiver tandem like the Rams'. On the opposite side of the ball, it will be fascinating to see whether McDuffie and Watson are up to the task of handling the Cowboys' own dynamic duo in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
The Dallas Cowboys will head to SoFi Stadium in Week 15 to take on the Los Angeles Rams in a Sunday afternoon matchup. The contest will kick off at 3:25 p.m. CT.
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