Cowboys vs. Rams 2017 live stream: Start time, TV channel, and how to watch online

Los Angeles is ready to kick off its preseason against Dallas.

Aug 12, 2017, 10:00 PM UTC

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Just like last year, the Los Angeles Rams will play their first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff is Saturday, Aug. 12 at 9 p.m. ET.

Fans can watch the game on the NFL Network and stream it on Watch NFL Network and the league’s mobile app.

It seemed like everything that could possibly go wrong happened to Los Angeles in 2016. Rookie quarterback Jared Goff didn’t start until Week 11 because he struggled with getting acclimated to the NFL, and running back Todd Gurely and the rest of the Rams’ offense couldn’t gain traction.

The team finished with a 4-12 record and had the worst offense in the league. Jeff Fisher was fired after nearly five seasons with the franchise, and the Rams hired Sean McVay, a 31-year-old who was Washington’s offensive coordinator, to groom Goff into a franchise quarterback.

Los Angeles gave Goff some weapons to work with in the offseason. The Rams signed left tackle Andrew Whitworth and receiver Robert Woods in free agency. They followed that up by drafting tight end Gerald Everett and receivers Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds.

On Friday, the Rams made another big move by trading cornerback E.J. Gaines and a 2018 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for receiver Sammy Watkins and a 2018 sixth-round pick. Watkins will join his new team, but won’t play against Dallas.

Kupp and Reynolds are competing with receivers like Woods and Tavon Austin. Kupp is a solid route runner with great hands and size, and he should get plenty of playing time Saturday. Reynolds and Austin have been dealing with injuries and are both likely out.

Under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the Rams are moving away from the 4-3 scheme to the 3-4. This game will give fans a sneak peek at how well the Rams are transitioning to Philips’ scheme.

Dallas already has one preseason game under its belt. The Cowboys knocked off the Arizona Cardinals, 20-18, in this year’s Hall of Fame game. Quarterback Dak Prescott, the reigning NFL Rookie Offensive Player of the Year, didn’t play against Arizona but will play against the Rams, according to Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams.

Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris, and Rod Smith got most of the carries in the first preseason game. That will likely be the case again after running back Ezekiel Elliott was handed a six-game suspension by the NFL on Friday. Elliott is appealing the suspension but can still participate in all preseason activities.

Defensively, rookies Taco Charlton and Chidobe Awuzie both got their feet wet but didn’t make much of an impact in their debut. They should get another shot to earn playing time Saturday night. Second-year linebacker Jaylon Smith, who missed his entire rookie season due to severe knee injures, will most likely sit out against the Rams. However, he is expected to make his debut this preseason.

The Cowboys and Rams both have young players who have to step up immediately. That makes this preseason game important for both sides.