"Instead of having to give the ball up around midfield, going down there and scoring a touchdown was a huge momentum builder," Bennett said.
363 days ago, Bennett threw four interceptions in the preseason opener against the Cowboys. On Saturday, he looked like a completely different quarterback against that same opponent.
Bennett completed 16 of his 24 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and just one interception in the 31-21 Rams victory, his first career multi-touchdown game. His decision-making and accuracy were much improved, a product of his increased confidence and comfortability in the Rams' offense.
"I think (I'm) just more mature, more comfortable in the system, tighter with the guys," Bennett said postgame.
He added that, while his throwing motion has "probably changed a little bit" as he's fiddled with his grip and release, the majority of his progress has been on the mental side of the game.
On Bennett's second touchdown drive, he managed the pocket well and made smart decisions with the football, even converting another fourth down with a scramble. Rather than trying to fit the ball into a tight window downfield, he tucked it and used the open grass in front of him to pick up an easy four yards. That might not have been the decision he made a year ago.
"I told him today, I said 'Man, you playing with that confidence and you playing with that swagger again, I love it,'" Smith recalled.
Bennett also didn't shy away from attacking the middle of the field, as head coach Sean McVay singled out an impressive throw to wide receiver [Drake Stoops](/team/players-roster/drake-stoops/) running a backside end cut between defenders.