WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Coming off two-straight games with over 40 points and 500 yards of offense, the Rams will head to Seattle for a divisional showdown that could very well determine the NFC West title. The two 11-3 teams will face off on Thursday Night Football in Week 16, so the Rams have already turned the page on their victory over Detroit, which punched their ticket to the postseason.
Ahead of the contest, Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Chris Shula spoke to local media media about win and quick turnaround to prepare for the Seahawks. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences. From the Podium is sponsored by Porsche.
"(If wide receiver Davante Adams can't play) we'll probably just go out there with 10 guys and just see what happens. No, I'm just kidding. You guys have seen how valuable he's been for us in so many different ways. Even over the last few weeks, just the amount of attention he gets in situational football, whether it be the red zone, third down... He's a Hall of Famer for a reason and he's still playing at that high clip and we're just hoping for the best." - LaFleur
After Adams exited Sunday's game with a hamstring injury (the same one that put him on the injury report earlier in the week), head coach Sean McVay said that it "didn't look good." He wouldn't rule Adams out for Thursday, although he acknowledged it would be an uphill battle for him to suit up on a short week. Adams has taken Konata Mumpfield under his wing this season, and the rookie wide receiver took some of those vacated snaps after Adams went down on Sunday. The injury to his mentor may give Mumpfield more opportunities.
LaFleur discussed how much trust players and coaches have in him, saying "he doesn't conduct himself (as a rookie) when he's on the field." The two players have similar play styles, views of the game and movements, especially in their lower halves, LaFleur said. He also reiterated how smart the rookie wide receiver is, and that Adams has "really taken a hand to" him because of those similarities.
Tight end Tyler Higbee and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein are both eligible to return from Injured Reserve this week, but LaFleur said they haven't discussed whether those moves will be made prior to Thursday Night Football. He knows that Seattle will create looks and plans to stop the Rams' offense that are different from what they employed earlier this year, including ways to limit the impact of Los Angeles' 13 personnel packages. "They're gonna have stuff that you're not prepared for," LaFleur said. "That's what good coaches do and they're great coaches over there."
"I think our guys just made plays and executed (in the second half) and that's really all it was. It wasn't anything crazy that we did as far as scheme-wise... We just talked about being one-eleventh and doing your job and hitting your shot and if you get a tip, go for it." - Shula
After the game, defensive end Kobie Turner said the defensive front was given the "green light" to play the pass more, and it resulted in five total yards for the Lions in the third quarter. Shula referred to Turner, who got the team's only sack, as "the finisher" because of his ability to work edges and impact the game every time he's on the field. "He doesn't take plays off," Shula said.
The Rams and Seahawks both "have the same amount of time" to prepare for Thursday Night Football, so Shula said he doesn't know whether that's an advantage or not, but he added that they have a good short-week rhythm that won't be disrupted.
Meanwhile, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was inactive yesterday despite not being listed on the injury report. Shula said they are "always trying to get the best guys up in the best roles," and that's what led to the decision for that specific matchup with the Lions. "We'll see what it leads to Thursday night," he added.
