SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Rams kept their foot on the gas and didn't let up against the 49ers on Sunday. Six of their eight offensive drives, not counting the half- and game-ending ones, went for touchdowns at Levi's Stadium as the Rams buried their division rivals 42-26.
After the game, head coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Davante Adams and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. spoke with the media about the offense's big day and defensive turnovers. Here are the top quotes and talking points from those press conferences.
"(Stafford's) just been in total command. It's a continuation of a guy that really works his tail off throughout the course of the week. He uses the accumulation of knowledge and experience, and then he's just playing really confident. It looks like the game is really in slow motion to him right now." - McVay
L.A. has gone 12-for-13 in the red zone over the past three games, including 4-for-4 on Sunday. McVay said the difference has been in the execution. "We've been able to be efficient in both phases, I think guys are winning one-on-ones, Matthew's putting the ball where he wants to."
Throwing the ball early and often was a way to "set the tone" for the game, and that certainly achieved that as they rode Stafford's arm to a victory in Santa Clara. McVay said it's always "difficult" and "challenging" to beat the 49ers, especially at home, but he was happy with how the team prevailed.
"(The MVP conversation) doesn't effect me. Obviously, I appreciate those words. I don't pay too much attention to them. I'm just trying to find ways to be a good football player for this team, lead this team... I think about those awards, I see those people say stuff like that and all I can think about is, I'm just lucky to have unbelievable teammates." - Stafford
Stafford did a little shimmy after one of his touchdown throws and said he "had to shake that one off... I lose my mind when we score touchdowns." A lot of guys plan their touchdown dances pre-game, Stafford said he just goes out and plays and "whatever comes to me comes to me."
The Rams' and Stafford's three-game heater has been full of offensive success, but Stafford said the resolve and attitude of the team has not changed all season, and he loves to be part of that. Despite the offense's historic run as of late, Stafford said, "It's been good, (but) there's still plays I want back, things that we get better at. It's fun to win football games and still feel that way."
"I see a lot of ownership, honestly. I seen the way we started these games in the past, earlier on in the season. I wouldn't say that we had maximization in the pudding. I think in our minds we had a certain idea of what we wanted to do, but now I think everything's starting to gel. Guys are starting to understand their roles. I'm not pressing out there to make plays and just playing my game." - Adams
Adams caught six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, the 112th receiving touchdown of his career that gave him sole possession of eighth all-time. He exited in the third quarter with an oblique injury, but postgame said, "It was biting a little bit in the game, but it's feeling better now and we'll see how it feels next week."
Adams said the talent on this team set a certain expectation from the jump, similar to his connection with Stafford. When that expectation wasn't met, Adams said it was easy to get down or start to "press," but now the play is starting to match what they thought it would be. In terms of Stafford's play, Adams said, "It's looked like MVP play to me all year, to be honest."
"My old coach used to tell me (interceptions) come in bunches, so you might as well catch them when they come your way." - Forbes
Forbes had his second interception in as many games, as he picked off 49ers quarterback Mac Jones in the fourth quarter, so it turns out they have come in bunches. He said his confidence has grown with his film study and the preparation he puts in throughout the week.
He also had a third-down pass breakup on the first drive of the game that he said "set the tone" for the defense and helped the offense go up 14-0 on the ensuing drive. Forbes added that the Rams' win streak has been a product of "complementary football."
