WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The Rams are on a four-game win streak heading into a Week 17 game against the Cardinals. After starting the season 1-4, Los Angeles (9-6) has won eight of its last 10 and is in first place in the NFC West and the third seed in the NFC playoff picture. The Rams close out the season with two divisional home games, with a chance to clinch the division this week under specific circumstances.
On Tuesday, quarterback Matthew Stafford, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Chris Shula spoke with the media about the upcoming matchup on Saturday night.
Here are the top quotes and talking points from the press conferences, which can be viewed below:
"(This game is) so far removed from that last game, schematic-wise. I think everybody's changed probably a little bit here or there. But, still a really fast, physical defense (that) flies around. They give you a bunch of different things to look at, a bunch of personnel packages, coverages. They do a really nice job, they're really well-coached." - Stafford
The Rams have put their 41-10 loss to Arizona far behind them as they prepare for a rematch in Week 17. Still, Stafford had a lot of positive things to say about a Cardinals defense with safety Budda Baker at the helm, who Stafford said is "playing outstanding" in all aspects of the game.
Stafford said the team "didn't play good enough in any phase," in that Week 2 loss, where they missed multiple starters on both sides of the ball. Now, this offense is fully healthy, including tight end Tyler Higbee who returned to the lineup last week for the first time this season. Stafford said that Higbee "understands this offense, he knows it inside and out," and has been part of its evolution throughout head coach Sean McVay's tenure.
In the midst of a four-game win streak, Stafford said "the cool thing about this group is we know that we earn every single bit of it." The team's improved health and continuity has helped them get to the point where they have "kind of grown into the football team we could be."
"(We) didn't really get a chance to play, you know, our brand of football because of them (last game). I mean, it's all credit to them. So, it'll be good challenge. These guys are still playing at a high clip, particularly on defense... It just comes down to execution, play in and play out. Every play has a life of its own." - LaFleur
LaFleur said the Week 2 game against Arizona was "one of those things that you don't really want to experience, but it does happen from time to time." Now, the Rams are on a four-game win streak and the offense has scored more than 10 points in every game since their Week 2 loss in Arizona, and LaFleur said he "doesn't even want to even talk about what happened in Week 2."
Running back Kyren Williams had a season-high 122 rushing yards in last week's win. That featured an assortment of broken tackles, as most of his yards came after contact. LaFleur said "he's a warrior, he's just as tough as they come." Of Higbee's touchdown catch in his return, LaFleur recalled the play call "just felt right," and Higbee has a great feel for that concept.
The offense is "getting mentally tougher every single week," LaFleur said.
"(The secondary is) playing connected, they're playing really good with the ball in the air, they're communicating very well, they're not giving up anything easy. They understand the weaknesses in the coverage, (safeties) coach (Chris) Beake and (assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator) Aubrey (Pleasant) have done such a good job with that unit, being clear, understanding where the play ops are." - Shula
The Rams have allowed just one passing touchdown and an average of 187 passing yards over the past two games. They have accumulated 12 pass breakups and an interception over those two showings, featuring some outstanding individual performances. The front has also stepped up, allowing 63 and 75 rushing yards, respectively, in the last two contests.
The Rams will face a quarterback on Saturday in Kyler Murray that is a threat both in the air and on the ground. Shula said "it's definitely a headache playing against guys" who are dual-threats. Murray is different than someone like Rodgers however, because while Rodgers may be able to scramble move the chains, Murray "can scramble and go for 50 (yards)," and that's something the Rams will have to account for by playing connected.
Shula said that "cerebral" cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who has four pass breakups in a starting role these past two weeks, has done "an excellent job" making plays on the ball and disrupting receivers at the line of scrimmage. He also discussed undrafted rookie linebacker Omar Speights, who made a "tough" fourth-down stop against Jets running back Breece Hall in enemy territory last week, saying he's "a knock-back tackler," who has great timing and instincts.
