Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams avoids a tackle against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Matthew Stafford joked about receiving a sword after his historic performance in the Los Angeles Rams’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in Week 7, but he mixed a dose of reality into his remarks.
The Rams defeated the Jaguars 35-7.
However, Stafford believes they left some plays out on the field and will need to be sharper moving forward.
Matthew Stafford Offers Dose of Reality for Rams After Blowout Win
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of Los Angeles Rams hands the ball off to Kyren Williams #23 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Asked about getting into a rhythm early on in the Rams’ convincing win over the Jaguars, Stafford said, “It was great.”
He expressed his subtle critique within his answer.
“We moved the pocket early. Was able to get out on the edge and find some guys. I thought all of our tight ends played really well today. Receivers, backs, everybody kind of had their hand in it, which was nice. But yeah, we spread the ball around a bunch today. A bunch of guys that caught it, and made some plays. So, just excited for where our offense is going,” Stafford told reporters on October 19.
“There’s a little bit of a lull there in the third quarter. Some plays that we’d like to clean up. Just maybe a couple plays on third down, keep us on the field. But our defense did a hell of a job. Got us the ball back, and we were able to capitalize.”
The Rams are on bye next week. They return to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, but then will face three teams with postseason aspirations.
Moreover, missed opportunities could haunt Stafford and the Rams in the playoffs again.
Stafford and the Rams are 5-2 following the win, but their 271 total yards of offense in the game marked their second-fewest of the season. Notably, both of the Rams’ losses featured more prolific offensive performances.
Matthew Stafford Doubles-Down on Critique
Matthew Stafford, Quentin Lake, Los Angeles Rams
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 and Quentin Lake #37 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrate after facing the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Stafford and the Rams are 5-2 following the win over the Jaguars in Week 7. However, their 271 total yards of offense in the game marked their second-fewest of the season. Notably, both of the Rams’ losses featured more prolific offensive performances.
Stafford did say that the day was a “step in the right direction.” It was still clear that Stafford is well aware that the Rams can and must be better going forward.
Stafford praised the “aggressive” Jaguars.
He offered kudos for his own team after they “battled” their way to a victory. But he referred back to the Rams’ missed opportunities on the day when asked to compare this season’s start to last, when LA was 3-4 through seven weeks.
“Obviously, we’re in a better spot record-wise. I think there’s still a lot to be cleaned up, and a lot of things that we can be better at. But we’ve done a nice job through the first seven of finding ways to win games most of the time. There’s definitely some you want back, but today was a nice complete game. I thought our defense played outstanding. Offense, we were able to punch it in. We got in the red zone. That’s a huge.”
Stafford added that the “lead can really open up” and that they “played off each other well” against the Jaguars.
Matthew Stafford Unaware of Historic Day Performance vs Jaguars
Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Stafford threw an NFL international-game record 5 touchdown passes during the game, finding Davante Adams three times and rookies Konata Mumpfield and Terrance Ferguson once each for their first career TD receptions.
Afterward, Stafford said he was unaware of the feat.
“I was in the game,” Stafford said. “It’s a cool thing. We’ll see how long it lasts, but I’m – I guess it’s a cool thing to have happen.
“This is my third time playing over here. It’s a blast. Sometimes travel is tough. But once you get out here, the fans are great, people are great, love the game, and was glad that we just came away with the win. Makes the flight home a hell of a lot better.”
Stafford completed 21 of 33 passes for 182 yards in the game. His 63.6% completion mark is his second-worst of the season.