San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and several others spoke with reporters after Sunday's 42-26 Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Here is what they said.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan
Opening comments:
"No injuries. Go ahead."
I know there must have been a lot of different things, but what did you see defensively? Was it a matter of them being really good and being hard to keep up with that?
"Yeah, a little bit of both. We knew it'd be a big challenge going in. We know how good they are, but we thought we could slow them down and find a way to get off on third down. We obviously didn't do that very well. We did it twice there in the first half, got none in the second half. Thought we had a chance down there in the red zone when [Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew] Stafford scrambled, we came up to get him and gave him a touchdown there. But it wasn't anything really in particular. Just not good enough."
What was happening on the 12-men on the field penalty?
"Two times we subbed in dime and we didn't get a guy off. So, I think one time we didn't get a call in fast enough, I got a timeout on that, and the next time we didn't. So, it was on us."
What was the message to the team in the locker room afterwards? What did you have to say to them?
"I just told them, 'guys, it wasn't good enough.' As bad as it was at times, I still believe if we converted that fourth-and-one in the first half and we don't turn it over on the other drive it's a two-score game and I believe we were right in that. I believe it could have come down to the end if we played a little bit better on offense in the first half. Obviously, D's got to get a stop there in the second half. But I still think we could have made that a game. I told them, 'I believe that we can find a way to win any game that we're in, but if we hurt ourselves like that, seven penalties to zero, not getting off on third down, I think they were five-of-five in the red zone and then the offense having two turnovers and they're having zero you make that pretty tough on yourself.'"
Does that feel like the reality for this team right now? Especially for the offense, the margin of error is that much thinner with so much attrition on defense?
"Yeah. We all know that it's a challenge with how many guys that are missing on D, so we truly understand that. I know we can do better than what we did today though and I believe the offense can do better than what they did today."
TE George Kittle has mentioned a few times that they know it's on the offense since the defense is missing so many people. Has that been something you've said? Is it something maybe you just generally agree with? You don't want to just say it's not on the defense, but because the offense has a lot of guys maybe coming back that it is a little bit more responsibility on them?
"That's what I expect offensive players to say and I expect defensive players to say the opposite. I put it on all three phases though, regardless of the situation. I thought O did some good things today, but not good enough to finish that win. The D struggled at times, but they've got to just make a couple stops on two drives and I feel like they can give us a chance to win there. So, I'm never going to just put it on one side of the ball. But, obviously we are wounded at D, got more guys down over there and that does give the other sides a little bit more of an advantage."
How close was QB Brock Purdy to being the backup today?
"He could have gone, definitely. I just decided to hold him, not put him in that situation."
He's probably never going to be 100-percent again this season. At some point, do you just have to play him knowing that he is not going to be 100-percent?
"Yes. It depends on how close to 100-percent he gets. Our dilemma, or what we're trying not to do, is put him out in the situation we did versus Jacksonville five weeks ago, or six, whatever it was. So, I do believe he's closer and further along than what he was at that time. So, hopefully he'll have a chance this week."
How do you feel QB Mac Jones played today?
"It seemed like he played really well. I thought he got rid of the ball, didn't get caught with it too much, got the ball to the right spots and definitely gave us a chance to win."
Is he playing better just as he gets more starts and plays more in this offense?
"Yeah, I mean I think he played pretty well though early on. I thought he played really well today, but I thought he did that, I want to say his first game was versus New Orleans and did the same. He's been playing really well for us all year."
I don't think they had a sack. Obviously, the offensive line's doing something well, but is that also a reflection on Mac making quick decisions?
"Yeah, that's everybody. I thought the O-Line did really well, especially versus that group. I thought Mac did a really good job getting rid of it and I thought all of our eligibles did a good job getting to the spots. When you throw it close to 40 times, I'm not sure what we did, maybe 39, when you throw it that many times versus that type of pass rush everyone's got to be doing a pretty good job to not give up any sacks."
49ers QB Mac Jones
Obviously, you want to win the game, but individually you completed 85% today against a pretty good defense. Are you getting more comfortable in this scheme? Is that why we're seeing that percentage climb?
"Yeah, that's the goal just be above that 65 or more percent, just keep moving the ball. We didn't start fast like last week. We started pretty well when we played them the first time, we were up 14-0, so that wasn't the case this time. And definitely just want to keep throwing completions and let the guys do the work. Once I get rid of the ball, that's when we can get yards. So, I know that and that's important."
How did the offensive line play a factor in that with no sacks allowed today?
"Yeah, it's awesome. I know we emphasized it and they did a great job just keeping the energy throughout the game. It's not an easy game to play when you get down. I felt like we had a chance there to at least get close to matching scores and we didn't. But the offensive line did a great job in the run game and obviously in the pass game as well."
TE George Kittle just said a lot and he said, again, today 'it's on the offense. You got to put a lot of points up with what's happened to the defense.' I imagine this has been a message throughout the offensive unit. What kind of responsibility does that put on you as the quarterback and put on everybody to know 'we've got to score points here?'
"Yeah. I don't know. I don't really think about scoring points. I think about doing my job on each play and those come with doing your job. If you can stack up good drives and get it down to the redzone, then you get a chance. Obviously, I want to score points, but I'm not sitting there thinking about that, I'm thinking about doing my part. I think that's how we can be better when everyone, all 11 guys, do their job correctly, then the points will come. I know we want to get to that 30-point mark, and once you do that, you feel pretty good as an offense. You played well enough to give yourself a chance. So definitely want to continue to grow in that area, but it starts with execution in the process really over results."
When you play a team like this, is it an indicative of showing how competitive the NFC West is?
"Yeah definitely. It's a really tough conference my first year playing in it. At this point, we've got to try and win every game we play in and our backs are going to be against the wall again, so see what we do."
What did you think of George's touchdown catch? Did it look like he was in bounds when he first caught it?
"I didn't know. I asked him like, I always do, 'did you get it or not?' And he's like, 'yeah, I got it.' So, from there we just picked our two-point play and then didn't execute on that, but he made a great play making the touchdown and diving. He had a bunch of good catches in the game, tight coverage, they were holding him and stuff. So, he did a good job."
A lot of quarterbacks in your situation would sign a one-year contract in March and get a career reset and then see what happens in free agency. You signed a two-year deal. Why was that?
"I think like it was what was presented to me and I wanted to get back to having fun playing football, and I think I've done that. Today wasn't as fun, obviously, but I still believe that we have the right guys in this locker room. I wanted to get around a good organization that believes in the players and that's coaches believe in the players and players that believe in the players. So, I feel like we have the right guys. I've just been really fortunate to be here this year. I want to just try and find ways to win games for us, and that's all I'm here to do and the future will take care of itself."
I think you've established the fact that you obviously can be a high caliber NFL starting quarterback. Have you thought much about next year and what that might present for you?
"Yeah, not too much to be honest. I'm really just try to take it day-by-day. I set goals out for myself this year to be ready to play when my number was called, and I've got to continue to do that. I want to work on things and get better each day. I've never tried to look ahead. It's hard not to, but I never want to do that. I want to focus on each week. I know how challenging the NFL is just having played for a couple of years. I feel like we have a young team that needs leadership right now. My goal is to lead them and get ready for Arizona."
What kind of impact did DL Nick Bosa and LB Fred Warner being in the locker room have?
"Oh yeah, that was awesome just to see those guys. We had a few injuries here and guys are stepping up, but just to have their presence and seeing them before the game just dapping them up and saying 'what's up' just always lifts the vibes. I know they want to be out there, and they obviously can't, but they're doing everything they can to get healthy and be there for the young players on our team."
Did the Rams do anything different today? It seemed like they had a lot of two-deep safety looks. Was that more than the first time around?
"A little bit. I think that was kind of their plan. They knew. They have a great offense. In the first game, they just spun the dial on us and played a bunch of different coverages. But yeah, this time was definitely more split-safety shell and keep it in front of them and just make us drive it. That's kind of been the theme here. We've played a lot of defenses like that. So, they're a really good team, and they just had our number today. But it wasn't our day and doesn't mean it can't be our day soon."
You mentioned the need for leadership on this young team, especially on defense without Fred and Nick. Is that a process, from as far as you can tell, that's going to naturally take time where you have to figure out who to look to without two big talents and leaders on that side of the ball?
"Yeah, I think this happens with every team, right? You might lose somebody that's a leader and the person that's in that role has to step up and do their job really well. But I believe that it's all done during the week, you put all the work in and the hay is in the barn, and once you go out there you should feel confident. Whoever leads on game day, that's great, but really it comes throughout the week as well. I feel like we have good guys on our team that are stepping up doing that. For me it's about doing my job and coming to work every day positively. I feel like that's how I lead. I'm not going to change, and I don't think anybody else would change either."
On the play before the interception, it was a nullified by offsetting penalties, but it looked like Los Angeles Rams LB Jared Verse decked you pretty good. Where'd he get you?
"I don't know. I just thought it was a bang-bang play, but it was a good hit. It didn't affect anything. So yeah, obviously we wish we got that there and then the next play wouldn't have happened."
49ers LB Tatum Bethune
WR Kendrick Bourne said that this is the kind of loss that could either help you or hurt you. What gives you the belief that this is going to be a blip on the radar and you guys can move forward?
"With all our losses, we just have to get stuff going. We have to execute. We understand what happened during the game, and we already know what needs to be done during the week with our preparation and communication. It was a bad game, but we were still kind of in it. Towards the end, we kind of let it go. That just shows hope and fight throughout the team, so this is going to make us stronger, and we just have to learn from it and get better."
Without seeing the film yet, why do you think it was so hard to get off the field today?
"We just didn't execute. That's it. There's no real explanation. We just have to play harder and get the
job done."
You mentioned communication. Were there issues with communication today?
"I wouldn't even say that. We just have to play harder and get it executed. I'd say our communication makes everything easier. I'm always going to say communication, because that's how we get stuff done, and on third down, we just have to play hard and challenge."
What happened with your injury scare there?
"I just had to get off the field for a quick minute. Nothing crazy. I'm good."
When you talk about bad game, is it just effort?
"Yeah, it's just effort, execution, wanting more and playing hard. We show it game in and game out, but
it has to come in every week. Sometimes we do it one week and then the next week we don't, and we just have to find that line where we keep it going every single time. I feel like when we do that, then we'll get things going, play faster and get off the field."
Are you saying that it's fixable mistakes?
"Yes. Always. I feel like it's self-afflicting wounds. I even got a penalty on that. We just have to be
smarter and be disciplined."
49ers TE George Kittle
How tough was it to try to come back? You guys did when you were down 21-0, you made it a game. What happened after that?
"We started the game off with a punt, a fumble, a fourth-down turnover, a touchdown and a punt. I'm pretty sure, like I said since I've been back, is that our team is going have to rely on our really good veteran offense to score a lot of points and not turn the ball over. And we didn't really do that today. So, I think that's going to be the case moving forward. Our offense has to play at an incredibly high level. We have to score a lot of points. We have not turn the ball over. I think our defense is going to get better and better throughout the week, because we still have a lot of young guys and we have a lot of guys missing, but we have to help out our defense. That's the way the season has to go. Our offense has to play at a high level, efficient, not turn the ball over, score points, score in the red zone, and then we'll win a lot of games. But if we're not doing that, that's going to happen."
How frustrating is it to alternate wins and losses? How do you guys string some wins together?
"Stringing wins along is really fun. I will say, win-loss, win-loss is significantly better than last year when it was loss, loss, loss, loss, loss. So, as long as we're not getting worse as a team, we're good. I thought, besides the turnovers and stuff like that, that our offense was still moving the ball. [QB] Mac Jones had a hell of a football game. He was a 33 of 39, right? The interception is actually a catch, not an incompletion, so 34. He said that to me and that was his idea. That's funny. But it is frustrating. Losing sucks. It is what it is. I hate losing, it's not very fun. But as long as like we're getting better, and the Rams are the number one defense in the NFL. They're everyone's favorite team in the NFL. So, was that a must win game? I don't know. I want to win every single game, but we still have plenty of games in front of us that if we win those, we'll put ourselves in positions to succeed at the end of the season. We just can't let this loss turn into another loss, so we have to figure out a way to not screw up next week and go into Arizona and have a really good game against them."
Based on what you're saying about the offense, it seems like the margin of error is pretty slim. How do you make sure that guys don't press and that you're not trying to be perfect?
"I don't think we need to be perfect. Again, Mac Jones has been our quarterback for how many weeks? He's our backup quarterback and he is been playing really, really well. We don't have [WR] Ricky Pearsall. We don't have [WR] Brandon Aiyuk. I missed five games. We have a bunch of guys out there who just love playing football. [WR] Kendrick Bourne had like 300 yards in back-to-back weeks. We have guys who can make plays and guys who love playing football. I don't think it's a pressure thing on us, it's just like, 'hey, go out there and execute. You know how to do it.' Our receiving room has two 30 year olds in it. We're smart enough to go out there and play. And [WR] Jauan [Jennings] has been in this offense long enough to where we just have to go out there and execute, not turn the ball over, do what we're supposed to do and our offense should score a lot of points."
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey
What can you say about RB Brian Robinson Jr. and the versatility he brings to the run game?
"It's awesome. We take a lot of pride in that room, being able to do everything. He brings you great energy and a great change of pace to our offense, so it's awesome."
What do you think of the way QB Mac Jones is playing?
"He's a baller, man. Yeah, he's a baller. He commands the huddle, knows where to go and has great poise. He's a baller, we just have to be a little better for him."
Do you feel the same way TE George Kittle does, that you guys have the players to make a run for the playoffs?
"Yeah, absolutely. I think we can be our own worst enemy sometimes. If we just stay on our P's and Q's, continue to be efficient and not have mental errors and other things like that, we have a chance. We always have a chance. I've said this every week, but I think the beauty of this league is you can win every game and you can lose every game. That's also the challenge. But yeah, we definitely have the guys and today wasn't our day. We got beat. We've got to move on just like we do every week, get back to the drawing board and play hard the rest of the way."
49ers T Trent Williams
What happened out there today?
"We didn't help ourselves so we can't expect to beat a good team when you play hard but beat yourself."
I know you guys, many guys, have said you beat yourselves as far as mistakes, but obviously you don't go out there with the intention of making mistakes. What do you think kind of contributed to those today? Was it a lack of communication?
"No, who knows? It's a very intricate game and mistakes are costly. It could literally be an inch or so, who knows? We'll go back and watch the film to see ways we can get better. They made a good play, two on [San Francisco WR] Jauan Jennings' fumble, they ran to the ball and obviously we'd like to hold onto it, but they made a great play. What do you say about that? Obviously, we lean on Jauan heavily and will continue to but they made the right plays to win the game."
On one of the great plays on fourth and two, they stuffed San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey. Did the Los Angeles Rams do anything special on that play? Did it catch the team off-guard?
"No, I think, it looked like it was a good bounce read and [Los Angeles Rams OLB] Byron Young just came off at the last second and made a good play."
Rams Head Coach Sean McVay
Opening comments:
"I'm really proud of our group. They came out ready to go today. Total team effort. I thought the offense started fast. [Los Angeles Rams ILB Nate] Landman's forced turnover to allow us to go up 21. There was a little bit of a lull right there and then, you know, we bounced back. I thought we were able to control, for the most part, possession of the second half. Defense came up with big stops. Proud of the field goal operation being able to hit all those extra points. Looked like [Los Angeles Rams P] Ethan [Evans] had a couple really good holds and [Los Angeles Rams K Harrison] Mevis did a nice job with his timing and his accuracy. And so, you know, [Los Angeles Rams QB] Matthew [Stafford] was outstanding. I thought, really, I thought offensively and defensively, it was a really good team win. That's a team that we've got a ton of respect for. To come in here, in a great atmosphere and environment and to be able to do that. We'll enjoy this. What a great challenge we have against an excellent football team next week. But you know, you guys go ahead."
Do you have an update on Los Angeles Rams WR Davante Adams?
"I don't. You know, he got his oblique. I think he probably could have been able to come back in if it was a little bit closer. Kind of similar to [Los Angeles Rams WR] Puka [Nacua] last week, but he was outstanding today. You really felt his presence early and often in the game, and he comes away with another touchdown. But I don't have an update as far as anything specific."
The team is 12-for-13 in the red zone the last three games. What has been the difference there?
"Players executing. You know, they've done a great job. I think 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. Football's the greatest team sport that there is, and I think when you look at it, obviously there's a consistent theme if you were to say how big Davante has been, but I think Matthew's been excellent. It was great to be able to get a couple rushing touchdowns today. I thought [Los Angeles Rams RB] Kyren [Williams] put his foot in the ground and leveled some runs off and then was able to run around the edge. But it is truly all 11 and I'm proud of this group. They're earning a lot of the confidence with the way that they're working throughout the course of the week. And this is what we want to be able to do as the season goes, just continue to build. Like I mentioned, you look up and you notice I'm a fan of this game, how big time Seattle's been and what a great challenge it's going to be, and a great atmosphere at home next week against a great football team."
How big was it for your team to get up to the three touchdown lead?
"I think it was big, and then credit to them. They'd made enough plays to be able to kind of get themselves back in it and cut it to a one possession game to make it 21 to 14. And then offensively, to be able to go right back down and get back up two possessions was big. It's never easy and this league is so difficult, so challenging. There's ebbs and flows, and you just have to stay steady and stay even-keeled. I think our team has a bunch of mental toughness, resilience, and the ability to be able to respond. They stay connected through the good and through the challenging moments, and I love this group. I am excited about being able to build with them as we continue on the second half of the season."
How much do you enjoy playing against the Niners as a rival?
"Yeah, this is a great football team and obviously there's a lot of history. It's always pretty cool to peek up there and see [former San Francisco 49ers Vice President] John McVay's name in the corner and always think about him and what he meant to me. I wouldn't be in the position if it wasn't for him. I have a lot of respect for this organization. I know [San Francisco 49ers Head Coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and this team and these coaches. They're excellent, so to be able to come in here and get a win, it's always difficult. It's always challenging, and we're very pleased with the way that our team came out ready to go today."
Can you speak to QB Matthew Stafford and how he's played?
"He's been awesome. You know, he'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. And the best thing about him is he's so humble, but we're really grateful to be able to have him leading the way. He instills a belief every time that he's at the switch for us, and guys play well around him. You want to do right by him. He makes me a better coach, and I certainly don't take for granted how lucky I am to be able to work with him, and I know our team feels the same way."
Looking back at the time that the 49ers cut the lead down to 7 points, what did you like about not only the fact the team responded but how the team responded?
"I think you really just kind of answered it with the question. I liked the way that we responded and, there was a bunch of big plays. I thought Puka was awesome on a couple of the screens, the fourth down and three was a big play to allow us to then be able to hit Davante on the touchdown. Overall, I just really liked the resolve of this group. There's a resilience, there's a mental toughness, there's an ability to be able to respond. We always talk about being able to respond, not react. I thought we stayed steady, and then I thought the defense did an excellent job as well, making the stops when they had to. What a cool job. You know, [Los Angeles Rams CB] Emmanuel Forbes [Jr.] gets another pick on a fourth down, and it's awesome just to be able to see guys celebrate each other's successes. You know, one of the things that I think good teams do is they celebrate each other's successes. There's an enjoyment for other's successes. There's an enjoyment for staying connected through the different ebbs and flows that a game entails. And I love this football team, love this group, and like I mentioned, excited to be able to build with them."
The last couple of years have been a bit of a struggle for WR Davante Adams across the organizations he has been part of and the way those seasons have gone. How much joy do you see in him now that he is here?
"I can't attest to that. I can just tell you how grateful I am to be working with him and how smart and special of a human being he is, first and foremost. He's obviously feeling good. We've seen the rapport between him and Matthew really start to come to life. Hopefully that oblique is just minimal. I think he's playing his best ball. He's just getting better and better. He's like a fine wine, just getting better with age. We love him, and we love being around him. I love everything that he's about, and he's a big-time guy for our football team."
You guys have lost to this team before, and over time, you and other players talk about how that loss seemed to be a lesson. What lessons are you proud of that these guys have learned in the game since that loss earlier this season?
"Your scars either strengthen you or make you weaker. It's always about a continuation, but in the four games we've played since then, it's been pretty good, and I think we're getting better. I think that with the way the guys work throughout the course of the week, we're understanding the intentionality about how we practice, how we prepare, and how that practice, preparation, and performance can equal game reality. We trust ourselves, we trust the preparation, and then they trust their teammates. I'm seeing that unfold on a weekly basis. There's never a good story without a little bit of adversity anyway. I think you only learn about people when you go through those challenging times. That certainly was a very humbling and challenging night, but I've loved the responses from a lot of guys, and most importantly, our team collectively and our coaching staff."
You talked to us in January about wanting to build a more versatile offense. Is this current team what you had in mind?
"Yes, I think so. I give our defense a ton of credit; they've inspired us in many ways by effectively using different personnel groupings. One of the most important things I've heard my dad say is that everyone loves being part of something bigger than themselves, as long as they feel their role contributes to our goals. We need to create value with what we have. I don't want to say luck, but we are fortunate to have 48 guys who are all up and active. We need to take full advantage of that, whether it's through varied personnel groupings or getting different players involved. I've mentioned before that the best offenses I've been a part of, and the best teams, use everybody. You're still playing 11 on 11, and if you overcommit to something, you have to be prepared to expose other areas, whether that's on the defensive or offensive side of the football. What I love is that everyone is making an impact on this team. I think it's part of our job as coaches to figure out how to accentuate their skill sets and get them engaged. That's something we need to continue to do."
Can you just tell us about the reasoning behind why you came out throwing the football six or seven times before you went to the run?
"We wanted to set the tone. I think our guys are able to execute in a lot of instances, but there were a few times when we were inefficient on first down, and then we ended up having to throw it. I thought we did a great job, especially on the first drive, where we hit Davante on a curl, then ended up hitting Puka on an out cut, where we were kind of inefficient. We tried to throw it on an early down and ended up going to second and 10, which led to needing to throw more a little bit. We didn't want to be predictable, where you go first down incompletion and then go ahead and run it. We wanted to be aggressive, and when you have a quarterback that you can call the game through, it makes it easier to do that. Ultimately, we're just trying to be able to move the ball and score points, and our guys did that in a big way."
Rams QB Matthew Stafford
You were 12-for-13 in the red zone the last three weeks. What's working?
"A little bit of everything. We ran it in a couple times and were able to toss it in there a few times as well today. We're just executing, guys being physical and backs finishing in the red zone is awesome to see. And then guys making great plays on the perimeter. [Los Angeles Rams WR] Davante [Adams] made a great catch. All of our tight ends did a nice job as well. It was a complete team effort, as it always is when you win a football game like that. I'm just proud to be a part of it."
You have 13 touchdown passes in the last three games. That's a franchise record. Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua said when you got the last one, you called it the "Shimmy Shake" because you're having so much fun. Is that what it is?
"Yeah, I was having a good time. I got hit on that one pretty good, so I had to shake that one off a little bit. Like I said, I'm just having fun out there. I lose my mind when we score touchdowns. I don't think about it. A lot of these guys are in the locker room pre-game prepping what kind of dance they're going to do if they score a touchdown. I just go out there and play and whatever comes to me comes to me. I'm just happy to be a part of this team. It's a blessing to have such a great group of guys. Obviously really talented football players and coaches. What a great group of guys that I get to go to work with every single day. I don't take that for granted, especially at this stage in my career."
Are you having fun with some of the personalities and some of the play calls?
"The more we can do the tougher we are to defend. If we were bad at doing all sorts of different stuff, it'd be no good. But when we get into 13 or 12 or whatever it is, we're getting bigger, we're getting tight ends on the field, and they're talented football players too. These aren't just guys that can go in there and do one thing. All of them can block at the point of attack on the backside. All of them can catch the football and run after the catch. They're really good football players on our team, and we've done a great job of utilizing them. I've got to give [Los Angeles Rams Head Coach] Sean [McVay], [Los Angeles Rams Offensive Coordinator] Mike [LaFleur] and everybody a great deal of credit for being able to do that quickly and devise plans that let those guys go out there and be successful and let our team be successful. It's really worked well for us."
How would you say you've played the last four or five games?
"It's been good. There's still plays I want back. There's things we can get better at. It's fun to win football games and still feel that way knowing that wasn't quite our best. And there's a couple throws or a couple plays here or there that I wish I could have done a couple things different. But that's NFL football. We're playing a division team that unloaded the clip on us today, tried to give us everything that we could look at. But we did a nice job and we're able to make plays, just trying to stay in it, stay focused, enjoy it, and try to lead these guys and help us find ways to win."
Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay says WR Davante Adams is aging like a fine wine.
"That's a great way to say it. He's done an unbelievable job for us in the red zone. He was great early in the game for us as well, second play of the game, got on the rock later in that drive and got him a dagger. He was doing Davante stuff, and when he can do that and then cash in for us in the red zone, that's a huge plus for us. We're happy to have him. I love going to work with him. What a great teammate and obviously, a fantastic football player as well."
Los Angeles Rams TE Davis Allen said he didn't know he caught your 400th touchdown pass. Is that something you knew?
"No, I didn't know that either. That's the one, huh? Unlike a lot of the other ones that I throw, I feel like on the run and scrambling around, or usually in the pocket somewhere. But that's awesome. It's super cool. I say it all the time, but I'm just such a huge fan of the NFL. I have so much respect for the guys that came before me and played before me and what this league means. To be able to reach milestones like that, it's a ton of people who are involved. It's not just myself throwing touchdowns. It's a whole team and a bunch of different places. Obviously a couple different cities, a couple different franchises. It means a lot to be a part of the history of the NFL. To be able to play it for as long as I've been able to, I don't take that for granted because of that respect."
Do you appreciate where you are right now? You've always been appreciative. Do you appreciate this cohesiveness and the way this team is playing even more?
"Yes, I love coming to work. You lose a ball game, and I still love coming to work. I love the challenge of the NFL week-in and week-out. Obviously, most people are in better moods when you come away with a win, but at the same time, we have such a great group. We've had a couple setbacks this year and lost a couple games, but the resolve and the attitude of our team has never changed, and I love being a part of that. When we've won games, we also haven't gotten too high. There's obviously things to clean up. We know there's big challenges ahead, and we just have to continue to play. This team comes to work with the right attitude. I love being a part of it and we'll just hope to continue to do that."
This week started with a parade celebrating the Dodgers. Los Angeles is your adopted city, but how great is it to be an LA sports fan?
"It's great. It's awesome. Obviously, we are very proud of what the Dodgers were able to accomplish. I'm proud of [Kershaw] and his unbelievable career. I know those guys are probably somewhere cheering for us. It's a fun fraternity to be in, LA sports. Everyone pulls for each other and hopes they have success, and right now, it's pretty fun. Luka [Doncic] is doing crazy stuff, too. Talk about a heater; he is on one right now."
How about you being mentioned in the MVP conversation? It's happened before, like in 2021. How does it feel or affect you at all to be in that conversation?
"It doesn't affect me at all. I appreciate those words, but I don't pay too much attention to them. I'm trying to continue to find ways to be a good football player for this team and try to get us in the end zone as much as I can. With that comes whatever. I don't know. I think about those words. I see people say stuff like that, and all I can think about is, 'I'm just lucky to have unbelievable teammates.' I really am. To be able to throw the ball to the guys I get to throw to, play behind this line and hand it off to these guys, I feel like there's a lot of people that could be doing what I'm doing. I'm obviously working hard at it, trying to be as good as I possibly can, but I am really appreciative of the guys that are in that locker room with me."
Rams WR Davante Adams
What do you attribute to the offensive success you guys have been having the last three games?
"A lot of ownership, honestly. The way we've come out and started some of these games in the past earlier on 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 it's just playing my game. I think everybody else is doing the same and it's coming together. We've got a lot of weapons out there and a lot of guys that can make plays. We're such a selfless team that we truly enjoy each other's success more than our own."
How are you feeling physically?
"It was biting a little bit in the game, but it's feeling better now and we'll see how it feels next week. It's my side and oblique area. I'm not too good at anatomy and biology and all that, so I don't want to mislabel it. But whatever is on this side below my ribs, this muscular area, something like that."
How would you say Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford has been playing these past 4-5 games?
"He's looked like a MVP to me all year, to be honest. Even in certain games. Like I said, when he threw that pick against Tennessee, the way he bounced back after that, that's how an MVP plays to me. So to rally a team and continue to lead at a high level after things don't go your way, I think that's what really shows what an MVP is about."
Rams CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
You also had several plays for the pass breakup. How would you describe the way your confidence has grown this week?
"My confidence just comes from my film study. In the preparation that I put in during the week at practice and it just shows on game day. I just go out there, let loose, play ball and trust what my eyes see."
What kind of tone do you think you set on third down?
"We were just trying to get off the field. That's what we were preaching before we went out on the field. Let's go three-and-out. The ball came my way and I made a play. It helped set the tone and helped us go up more points."
From your perspective, what have you seen on QB Matthew Stafford touchdowns in the last three weeks?
"He is just playing very confidently. He is trusting in his guys to make plays when the ball comes to them. He is playing like an MVP."
Rams ILB Nate Landman
How is the offense inspiring you guys?
"They're electric, scoring points, capitalizing on turnovers, and keeping the ball for a long time. In the last few games, we've ended with the football and haven't had to put the defense back out there, which points to their dominance and the leadership of [Head] Coach [Sean] McVay and [QB Matthew] Stafford. Just the collective effort of all 11 of those guys or the 20 guys that are contributing says a lot about the way we've been able to finish those games with the offense on the field."
CB Manuel Ford getting an interception, a second straight game. Just what was your reaction to seeing that play unfold?
"So happy for him. He's continued the streak, that's two now; now we have an expectation to get another one in every game. I'm super happy for him. Guy grinds in practice, works hard, comes to work every day, and can see that the fruits of his labor are coming to life."
This is your first year here, but what did you notice about Sean today? When you guys have stumbled against the Eagles or the 49ers, he talks a lot about how the losses become lessons and how you guys respond really well. So, what is it about him or this franchise that allows you to bounce back?
"It's just his leadership as a whole. The way he inspires guys and the culture that he's built throughout the years here allows you to fall back on that when you hit adversity, and you're going to hit adversity, whether it be a loss or even in-game, a few plays here and there. He does a great job of just rallying everybody in."
Rams WR Puka Nacua
What impressed you most about the offense's improvement over the past month?
"The standard that we hold each other to. I think it was the guy that I feel like I'm still watching every day, number 17 [Los Angeles Rams WR Davante Adams], and then the elevation of everybody's game due to number nine [Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford]. I think that the heater that he's on is elevating everybody else's play, and we're continuing to jump on that bandwagon with him and let him take us as far as he can."
Are you seeing Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay have fun with the playcalling with how versatile this offense has been?
"One hundred percent. I feel like when you see the weapons that we have on offense, whether it's 13 or 11 personnel, and hopefully some 10 personnel coming out there soon, the possibilities are endless, so I'm sure he's salivating."
Rams TE Colby Parkinson
Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay says, "Los Angeles Rams WR Davante Adams is aging like fine wine." What have you seen from Adams over the last three weeks?
"He looks like he's hitting a young stride. To me, Davante Adams is playing unbelievably. It's a lot of fun to be a part of this group and see guys at the pinnacle of their careers doing amazing things."
I know you guys look at all opponents the same, but is it kind of more special when you play and beat the 49ers?
"Of course. Divisional opponents are always a bit bigger for us, just because of the playoff battle, and we play them twice a year, so you know the guys a little bit more. It's a lot of fun when you're able to get the job done."