INGLEWOOD, Calif. – With wide receivers Cooper Kuppand Puka Nacua both returning from injury, the Rams' offense returned to prime form. Quarterback Matthew Stafford more than doubled his passing touchdown total (from three to seven) and the two superstars accounted for 157 of his 279 passing yards against the Vikings on Thursday Night Football.
After the game, Stafford and head coach Sean McVay spoke with the media about the offensive eruption and their success in all three phases. The Rams won their highest-scoring game of the season 30-20 behind a complete offensive effort and some clutch plays on defense and special teams.
Here are the top quotes and talking points from the press conferences, which can be viewed below:
"Matthew had a look in his eye where he was going to be ready to go, and it's like, 'hey, you're coming with me, because we're going to go do this thing the right way.' I thought he got through progressions, I mean he looked like (pro tennis player Carlos) Alcaraz on the court escaping the two rushers to be able to throw Cooper Kupp his touchdown." - McVay
The Rams didn't even have a full practice on the short week, and they definitely didn't have one with all their skill players. It didn't matter. Against one of the toughest defensive schemes in the NFL, Stafford had his best game of the season with his top two receivers back in the fold. Nacua and Kupp were "chomping at the bit" to return, and it showed in their production.
McVay said that vice president of medicine and performance Reggie Scott came into his office during the week and said "I think Puka might have a chance to go." McVay trusted him and Nacua's progression during his workouts during the week, and jokingly said postgame, "once you tease me, you're going." Nacua went, and ended with seven catches for 106 yards in the win. Having both Kupp and Nacua back, "there's a confidence, there's a comfort, there's a rapport that's been established," and that opened up their options on offense.
McVay said the Vikings' defense "didn't pressure nearly as much as they had shown on tape" and when they did, the offensive line held up well. He loved Stafford's response after his interception, leading an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to take the lead. McVay commended everyone on the offense for making a contribution, even if they didn't boast the same stat line that Nacua and Kupp did.
McVay also became the winningest head coach in franchise history on his son's first birthday: "How 'bout that sh--," he said.
"It's what you envisioned (for this offense) when training camp started and it's nice to have those guys back. I said it earlier, but I really do think it was great for our entire team. It was great for our offense obviously, I was so happy and proud for those guys to be back out on the grass with us, but also really big for our defense, out special teams, (because) everybody feels that when those guys are back in." - Stafford
With their top two weapons back on the field, the Rams offense immediately reverted to their prime form. Stafford was throwing lasers to all levels of the field and the energy that Kupp and Nacua brought was palpable not just for the offense, but the entire team.
Stafford miraculously escaped two defenders to turn what looked like a surefire sack into a touchdown to Kupp in the first half. McVay said he looked like tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, Stafford said "fear is a hell of a motivator." He said they can't win every pass set, so they had to just keep fighting, but that was one of only a few pressures he faced against a defense that's known for wreaking havoc in the backfield.
Stafford also moved into 9th place all-time in career completions, passing Dan Marino, which he said was "humbling" as a lifelong fan of the game.
