Rams Head Coach Sean McVay (Post-Game Transcript)

Opening statement:

“What a gutsy effort by our group. I can’t say enough about our defense, keeping us in that football game, getting stop after stop. Man, there are so many things that we can clean up, but for our group to come alive when they did, and [to] find a way to make the plays, and so many different guys, really proud of them. There’s a lot of things – it’s always a lot easier to be able to clean some stuff up. Man, defensively, just what a job by them. Keep making them snap it one more time. Getting stop after stop. We tried to do a lot of things that were not in alignment with what is winning football, but you can’t win it until the fourth quarter. And our guys came alive when they did. A lot of gutsy efforts. I have a headache from hell right now, but I am really proud of this group. I think a lot of teams would have folded in those situations, but our defense kept giving us a reason to believe and really proud of them. I’m proud of the offense and the special teams coming to life when they had to and got to figure out how we play more complimentary football. But to come in here, tough atmosphere and to be able to get the win. There’s no style points in this league, but I do think a lot of growth can come from this. And with that, I’ll take your guys’ questions.”

On not having easy games:

“It [shows] that they’re mentally tough, and I think that’ll really serve us well. Tough times don’t last, tough people do. I’ve said that over and over again, but I think you asked it with the question. I’m really proud to just be a part of this group, of what they represent, and [how] they found a way. I thought it was really cool to see. That’s the first time I’ve been part of a game like that. There’s been a lot of back-and-forth games. We’ve got some crazy games where we were down two possessions a couple of years ago in the divisional round here in the snow. Weren’t able to finish it. We were able to finish today. You look at it after the offense goes and gets the score, after we get the stop on the two-yard line to go all the way down there, and how quickly our defense gets to stop and get the ball back to the offense. Unbelievable. What a gutsy, incredible run by [Rams RB] Kyren Williams to be able to take the lead. We covered well on special teams, and four plays later, we’re sitting there. Then the offense gets the ball back and takes the knee. So proud of these guys. A lot of respect for [Eagles Head Coach] Nick Sirianni and the Eagles. We obviously haven’t found a way to be able to get it done here, and our guys found a way today and got to be able to regroup. A lot of things that we can clean up, but I’m really proud of them. “

On the offense locking in at the end of the game:

“I think there were a lot of opportunities to execute, [reporter] Nate, that we just didn’t. We were getting a lot of the looks that we wanted and guys that are typically more automatic. I think it was just – you just stack good play after good play, and you just beat in the moment. You don’t let previous things affect your ability to be able to move forward. That’s what they did. It resulted in two touchdown drives. I thought our offensive line was outstanding. I mean, that’s a lot of really good rushers that they had that they’re rotating through. We were in a lot of known pass situations that make it difficult, where the advantage is to the front with those great players. I know they lost some guys on their back end, but we found a way to be able to get it done, and [Rams QB] Matthew [Stafford] did a great job, adding to his legacy. A lot of guys I was really proud of.”

On Rams QB Matthew Stafford looking more comfortable in those last few minutes:

“I think that’s when he’s at his best, [reporter] Mike, in those most critical and clutch moments. It’s what makes him a great football player. It’s what makes him a guy that everybody always believes we have a chance when he’s our quarterback. What I loved is that he doesn’t let some previous things that he could do differently affect his ability to say, ‘Let’s just be right here right now. Let’s be totally and completely present, and let’s try to do this next right thing and let’s stack play after play after play and let’s see where we’re at and shoot for us to take the lead with plenty of time where they had to use all their timeouts.’ Thought it was really well executed by Matthew and those guys, and damn proud of them.”

On struggling for 88 percent of the game and how pressure-filled moments can serve this team:

“Well, I just think you can learn from it. You can draw on those experiences. When did the 12 percent kick in right there with the 88 percent? [Reporter responds] On that 98-yard draw. [McVay continues] There you go. Damn right. Twelve percent. There you go. But I’ll tell you, I just think they were at their best when they had to be, but the defense was outstanding all the way through. Really the only things that they got offensively I felt like, not taking anything away, I thought our defense was great was when we gave them turnovers in short fields where they were to capitalize and get some different points. For us to be able to do what we did defensively, especially in spite of, you can’t not see some of the things that we’re not capitalizing on collectively, but it shows the connection to this team. They stay connected and part of playing complimentary football sometimes is lifting the other side up when they need it. I’ve said it over and over again in this presser already, but I’m really proud of our defense and I’m proud that we came to life as a team when we had to, but it was because our defense gave us a chance to do that.”

On how it was to have Rams WR Puka Nacua back:

“It was good. I thought he was really key and critical in those crunch time moments. It seemed like the ball stayed on the right hash a good bit towards the latter part. They were doing some different coverages where [Eagles Defensive Coordinator] Vic [Fangio] does such a good job of mixing it up, but there were some different things that we felt like we could take advantage of being able to get him the ball. I thought [Rams QB] Matthew [Stafford] did that and in a lot of instances he’s going against a damn good corner that I have a ton of respect for in [Eagles CB Riq] Woolen. He and [Rams WR Tyler] Higbee made some good connections, and [Rams RB] Kyren [Williams] made play after play and the offensive line really stood tough. [Rams WR] Davante [Adams] made some big plays as well that we had to have.”

On what made Rams RB Kyren Williams play the way he did especially toward the end of the game:

“It’s just who he is. I mean you look at it, look at the way he played last week. And even when I was going back and you watch the way that he played when we came here in week three last year, just watch the spirit, the energy, the competitiveness. I freaking love that guy. I love everything he’s about. If you say you wouldn’t want that guy in your foxhole, then you’re in the wrong foxhole. But I feel really good about being with him, continuing to just watch him be a leader that energizes situations he’s around and people that he’s around. And he does that for me. I love everything the guy’s about. I love the human being way more, but what a freaking competitor he is, too. He was outstanding and we needed every single play that he made, and he should have made a bunch of them.”

On what he said to the offense when he called them over after Rams WR Tyler Higbee’s drop:

“I don’t remember exactly. It was just more of what is on my heart to just say, ‘Guys, we’re capable. You got to believe and we got to just string good plays together. Our defense is doing everything that they can to keep us in this game.’ There’s plays and I believed in that group. I believed in our ability to be able to consistently execute on some things that we didn’t and probably something along those lines. They were the ones that brought it to life. They’re the ones that deserve all the credit.”