INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Head coach Sean McVay started his press conference by saying, "We're not a boring team to watch, I guess." Laughter from the media ensued, but of course, he's right. For the second-straight week, the Rams played a tight game that saw over 45 combined points. But this time, they were on the winning end, 27-20 over the Colts.
It featured broken records, long touchdowns and last-minute heroics.
After the game, McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford spoke with local media about the win over the Colts. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences.
"I thought it was awesome (for wide receiver Tutu Atwell to get the game-winner). Got him into man coverage right there, he's running kind of a high-angle cut, what a job by Matthew to be able to find him and deliver a great ball. Tutu runs a great route and then he's obviously got the gas to be able to finish, so can't say enough about him. You just never know when you're number's gonna be called and he's just kind of stayed ready." - McVay
Tutu Atwell hasn't been as involved as many thought he'd be after re-signing with the team on a one-year deal. And although he only had one catch on Sunday, it went for an 88-yard, game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the game, so one is all he needed.
McVay praised Atwell's "mental toughness (and) his resilience," as he waited for his opportunity and took advantage of it. "Good things happen to those who just stay consistent and stay ready," McVay said. "Had some other opportunities and just ended up delivering at the most critical moment." He gave credit to Stafford and Atwell for making that play happen on an alert, saying "That wasn't anything about the play call. It was about players brining it to life."
"I think (these close games) do (help us grow as a team). The tougher moments are where you really bond together and where you really learn about people. But I think you can sense that in the midst of games. You're going down, it seems like there's some momentum, but I never felt anything but a steady, no-flinch mentality from our group." - McVay
That's how McVay has felt through each of the team's four games, even when things seemed bleak last week in Philadelphia, he said. This time around, the Rams' "no-flinch" mentality resulted in a win, and safety Kam Curl secure it with his second interception of the day late in the fourth quarter.
"He's been a stud," McVay said of Curl. "He's a grown man, made play after play, and then obviously making the pick to be able to get the offense the ball back and ultimately close the game out." The Rams also held Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the NFL's leading rusher heading into the week, to a modest day on the ground, just 76 yards on 17 carries, and McVay said he "loves" where that unit is at.
"Obviously a great route by (Atwell). He slipped this guy out and he didn't fall down. So a hell of a job finishing it off, (he was) not number one in the progression, that's for sure, but just let's you know you've got to stay alive. Whenever your time comes to make a play, he obviously made it for us." - Stafford
Stafford reiterated what McVay said about Atwell's patience and ability to stay ready for when his opportunity came. He's been practicing well and has had a few looks, but it just hadn't connected until that game-winner. "We've dialed it up for him a couple times. It just hasn't been the look a few times," Stafford said. "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 read was "the last thought" in Stafford's head when they went out onto the field, but ended up being the right one. After the pass was completed, Stafford went sprinting down the field with his hands up, "saying wild stuff," he said with a laugh, which will require some editing before the mic'd up comes out.
"(Nacua is) as tough as they come, did a hell of a job again today. We called his number quite a few times. The fourth down was huge, the touchdown catch. He's a heck of a football player. We're lucky to have him on our team. I think his play style rubs off on everybody on our team, not just offense. I think our defense looks at him and is like, 's*, we'll ride with that guy all day.' And I know that's how we feel on offense." - Stafford
Puka Nacua caught 13 passes for 170 yards, setting his regular season career-high for receiving yards in a single game. Whether he was keeping his legs churning through contact, separating at the top of his route or sliding to make a tough grab, Nacua's playmaking ability was on full display in some important spots.
Stafford came through in more than a few clutch situations, including at the end of the half when the Rams drove 96 yards for a touchdown in just over two minutes. He said McVay "did a hell of a job" calling the offense with tempo in those situations, and "when somebody does that, shoot man, it makes me want to deliver for them," Stafford said. And he did, delivering the game-tying pass to wide receiver Puka Nacua and then the game-winner to Atwell.
