INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Through the Rams' first three games of the season, wide receiver Tutu Atwell had been targeted a total of three times – once in each contest – with one catch for four yards.
Even as Los Angeles leaned more into 12 personnel (two tight end sets) at the 10th-highest rate league entering Week 4, and even with the highly effective tandem of wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, that target rate and usage wasn't exactly what external observers envisioned relative to expectations after he was re-signed to a one-year deal this offseason.
Atwell's moment finally came on Sunday against the Colts, corralling a pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford as a defender slipped behind him, and racing 88 yards for the game-winning touchdown in Los Angeles' 27-20 comeback win over Indianapolis at SoFi Stadium.
"I'm so proud of him, so happy for him," Stafford said postgame. "He's been practicing really well. We've dialed it up for him a couple times, and just hasn't been the look a few times. And like Sean said, I'll reiterate it, he's done everything we've asked him to do, and just so happy for him, proud of him, that's the guy he is. He just comes to work every day, no matter what's going on around him, ready to work and practice and play, and made the biggest play at the biggest moment today."
For Atwell, it marked a new career-long reception, eclipsing his previous best of 62 from 2022. ESPN Research said that 88-yard touchdown was the longest go-ahead scrimmage touchdown in the final two minutes of a game this century.
Stafford said Atwell wasn't the first read in the progression, "but just lets you know you gotta stay alive whenever your time comes to make a play." Atwell said he saw man coverage on the play, and it was one a look they worked on during practice this week. He said as soon as he saw his defender fall down, he knew that all he had to do was beat the safety.
It also helped, too, that the Colts somehow only had 10 defenders on the field for the play.
"I had got that opp, it was one-on-one and I took advantage," Atwell said postgame.
According to head coach Sean McVay, that play was an all-purpose play that was an alert. Thus, McVay gave credit to Stafford and Atwell for bringing it to life in a crucial moment.
"Says a lot (about Atwell)," McVay said. "Good things happen to those who just stay consistent and stay ready. Had some other opportunities and just ended up delivering at the most critical moment. Really happy for him, like I said, I love the human being more importantly, and I was really happy for him to be able to deliver and make a big play for our team. Not surprised, but it's a tremendous credit to just his mindset, his mental toughness, his resilience, his ability to be ready when his number was called."
