INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Rams' second consecutive game scoring over 40 points helped the Rams to a 41-34 victory over the Lions in Week 15, clinching a playoff spot for Los Angeles.
After the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive end Kobie Turner and tight end Colby Parkinson spoke with local media. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences.
"(Nacua's) like Pac-Man, he just eats up yards and catches, but he's so tough." - McVay
The Rams' number one receiver set a regular season career-high in receiving yards with 181 on nine catches against the Lions. McVay said that he "epitomizes everything that we want to be about" as a football player and person. They knew it was going to be a back-and-forth game, which is partially why McVay went for it on two fourth downs early, both of which were converted by Nacua.
The possession at the end of the first half that led to a Harrison Mevis field goal cutting the lead to seven was "key and critical," McVay said. They then went on a run in the third quarter, allowing zero points and scoring 17 of their own. McVay said there was no real adjustment but they executed better to not give up any loose yards and were stickier in coverage.
"I was excited (when McVay went for it on fourth downs)... Playing a good offense like Detroit has, you gotta stay with it and we obviously moved it good in the first half. Had the turnover, Aidan (Hutchinson) made a great play, looked like he was the primary receiver on the damn play." - Stafford
After an interception on the first drive that Hutchinson returned 58 yards and made Stafford "look silly in space," Stafford was nearly perfect. Both of his touchdown passes went to Parkinson, and Stafford said he's playing "as good of football as he probably ever has." He acknowledged that it "feels good" to clinch a playoff spot, but said they "didn't talk about it for one second" during the week.
"When it's my opportunity to make those plays (where everyone knows where the ball is going), it's even more fun. Trusting that at every spot that everybody else is going to do their job and then just leaving it up to me and being able to come down with that ball. I knew I owed nine once, so it was fun." - Nacua
After a drop earlier, Nacua was determined to make up for it, and he did more than that with a career day. When Nacua runs through tackles and keeps fighting for extra yards after every catch, his teammates take notice. "I think there's definitely some more head slaps that's going on (than words), but I love that," he said. Nacua exited late in the game with cramps but said he feels good and was able to return. Now, he's looking to rest and recover on a short week ahead of a huge divisional game with Seattle on Thursday Night Football.
"It is still Sunday, so I'm in the process of recovery, but it's another one to get to go, a chance to see those boys, and if Cooper Kupp's gonna be there, I'll definitely be there," he said.
"I didn't even realize (we clinched a playoff spot). We never talked about that this week. It was all about, you know, figuring out a way to go and pick up a W and then being ready to move forward again this week and pick up another W." - Turner
The second-half adjustments were big for the Rams' defense, and Turner said that came after the defense was given "the green light" to get after the pass after they were playing the run heavily early on. That resulted in getting Goff off his spot and the Rams forced two three-and-outs to start the third quarter. "We started to feel like this is Rams defense," Turner said. "This is our ball, the way that we know how to play. So super proud of that second-half effort for sure." He added that they felt "unstoppable" during that run.
"I think getting different personnel groups out there definitely helps. I mean, Sean and the offensive staff do such a great job just scheming up different looks. There'll be plays that they'll install during meetings and say, 'Hey, we're looking at it for this look,' and they'll line up and be like, 'Oh, this is exactly what we designed it for.'" - Parkinson
The emergence of 13 personnel in the Rams' offense has contributed to Parkinson's breakout season, during which he has more receiving touchdowns (six) than he had in the first five seasons of his NFL career (five). Being able to contribute in that way has been "a lot of fun" for Parkinson, but he attributes the success to the tight end room as a whole, as they've been on the field together a lot more recently. "I love the install meetings now, that's for sure. When we go through all the 13 stuff, it's a lot of fun," he said.
