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00:00Welcome back to Los Angeles I'm Megan Olivi alongside Rams receiver Devontae Adams Devontae you're up against a really gritty really tough New Orleans defense you've got so many dynamic weapons. What is the focus offensively for you guys. Staying disciplined. Not you know focusing on their record or any of that because that's really not indicative of the type of football they play over there. So yeah they're not having a year that they would want I'm sure but still a really good football team we just got to make sure we lock in and execute. You're having a great year. You have tied
00:29your season high for touchdowns through seven games of the season thus far. What is it about this connection with Matthew Stafford that's so effective. Well we're still building still working on every week but I mean just two players that got a lot of experience and you know a lot of different things they can bring to the game you know that is unique for I guess what this league offers so you know we got the high expectations but continue to work and build and just keep stacking and take what comes. Thank you so much Devontae good luck. Appreciate it. Kenny back to you guys. Thanks Megan. Sean McVay's Rams have won
00:59two in a row look to keep pace with the 49ers who won their game earlier today. Across the way Kelly Moore the first year head coach of the New Orleans Saints who have lost three straight come in with a record of one and seven. The Saints won the toss elect to receive Joshua Cardi will get things started.
01:25Rams and Saints underway from SoFi. Rashid Shahid on the return for New Orleans out across the 25 across the 30 as Tyler Shuck leads the Saints out to the field making his first start in the National Football League. And again last week threw the ball 30 times came in relieved Spencer Rattler. Spencer Rattler had the turnover then Shuck. He actually looked poised. He had the one interception.
01:55He had the defense. He had the defense. Other than that he was getting the ball out quickly. He was looking to really spread the well to the guys get it there. And then I'm imagining that they're going to do the same thing with him today. Just get him comfortable. Get the ball out quickly. Get him in a rhythm. Kamara and Hill in the backfield. It's Kamara who gains one on first down.
02:16It's always good when you start with Alvin Kamara and that was one thing that was you know lacking. It was very noticeable that they just weren't getting the ball to this five time pro bowler Alvin Kamara. He is their best offensive player. Really good in the run game. Really good in the passing game. I mean there was a time where we said it was top two. Christian McCaffrey. Alvin Kamara is the best backs. So got to use him today. Slow down this defense. Second down at nine. It's Kamara again. Broke a tackle.
02:44And then is brought down after 33. Gain of two setting up third down at seven against this terrific Rams defensive unit. That's right. With Alvin Kamara trying to soften up this defense. And it's been led by Jared Burst the reigning defensive rookie of the year. Last year he's done a really nice job of converting now to being more of a one stopper. Not just running up the field in the past. I've asked him about hey what's been your improvement from last year.
03:14He said tenfold. I'm able to recognize what the offense is doing to me and because of that I play faster and harder. Throw down in seven. Chuck throws for the first time. Pass was caught by Shaheed. But he has stopped a yard shy of the marker by Emmanuel Forbes. So the Saints will send out the punting unit.
03:37Oh look a couple of good things that you saw. They were intentional of getting the ball to Alvin Kamara. Tyler Shuck. The game doesn't look too big for him yet. Gets the ball out. Did not try to force it. It's now a fourth downer punting. But it's better than an interception or taking a sack.
03:56Excellent kick by Kroger. Oh. What a job on special teams. Xavier Smith was met immediately by Isaac Yadam.
04:12Bam. That is a big time hit. Isaac Yadam coming back. He just started last week. He had the hamstring injury a couple weeks prior. Now he's back in the lineup. He's getting some plays in.
04:23And then. Boy he looked really good on that one.
04:32So Matthew Stafford and the Rams start from their 12 yard line.
04:36We're going to call it back. Missed the last game against Jacksonville in London two weeks ago with the ankle issue.
04:44Kyron Williams in the backfield.
04:48Stafford throws on first down. He goes right to the core.
04:52Who despite missing a game. Came into the weekend. Third of the league in reception.
04:57I don't understand why Stafford's not getting more credit this season. He's playing his best football right now.
05:03You see the five touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars when they played overseas.
05:08But he has been phenomenal. Spreading the wealth out. Understanding where to go with the football.
05:12It's Nacoa again. Why not right?
05:15Picked up a first down on the first play from scrimmage.
05:18And now he games nine.
05:19You know that they're going to continue to attack with Puka.
05:23They want to get him involved early.
05:24But someone that had been really involved was Devontae Adams.
05:28I just love the way he stepped in.
05:29He was playing nice football when Puka was out.
05:32That selfless savvy wide receiver for Matthew Stafford.
05:36Stafford on second and one.
05:38Wide open. It's Adams who spoke with Megan moments ago.
05:41So the Rams go to the air on their first three plays from scrimmage.
05:47And Stafford is three for three.
05:49And you can see what they're doing, right?
05:51They're going to attack the zones in this defense.
05:54They have a ton of respect for Brandon Staley, defensive coordinator.
05:57A ton of respect for his defense.
05:59But understanding that there are going to be opportunities in these zones.
06:03And that's where they're getting a lot of their money right now.
06:06With Devontae Adams, the wily old veteran, understanding when to sit down.
06:10Puka Nakula always going to get his versus his own defense.
06:17Off the fake to Williams.
06:19Stafford down four for four.
06:21It's Davis out on the tight end.
06:24Picks up another Rams first down.
06:27They started at their own 12-yard line.
06:30Allen picks up 15.
06:31So four plays later, they're at the Saints 33.
06:34What they're doing is really going outside in.
06:38And they've started everything on the perimeter outside the numbers.
06:41They had Puka outside the numbers.
06:42Devontae Adams catches one out there.
06:44Davis Allen doing the same thing.
06:46And the thing about Stafford, he's still mobile enough to have these design rollouts, design boots.
06:51That's what makes it so difficult to defend.
06:55They finally run it with Kyron Williams up the middle.
06:59For a game of four for the Saints 29.
07:02Yeah, Kyron Williams has been really good, I mean, for about four years now, for the Rams.
07:08And that defense, they're being tested today.
07:11And it's going to be led by Demario Davis, the two-time pro bowler for the Saints.
07:15He's the heart of this defense.
07:18Physical, violent.
07:19He tries to knock your head off.
07:20So, in that run game, has to get stopped by him.
07:23And then they can figure out how to settle down and slow down this passing game with the Rams offense.
07:27Second down at six.
07:35It's Williams.
07:36Cuts to the outside.
07:38That is forced out of bounds.
07:41About a yard shy of a first down.
07:43What a season it has been.
07:45Tied with Patrick Mahomes coming into week nine.
07:4717 touchdown passes, only two interceptions, and second to the NFL in passing yards per game as well.
07:55As I said, I'm just not understanding why he's not getting more hype, more publicity for being MVP.
08:01That this is, by the way, he's been in the league for about 17 years.
08:04And I'm telling you that this is one of his best seasons so far, the way he started off.
08:08Terry Pratchett said on the pregame show, he's his MVP.
08:11There we go.
08:12I know he knows a little something about the quarterback, right?
08:15Exactly.
08:16Here's Williams.
08:18Kyron Williams picks up another Rams first down.
08:23Day to four.
08:25Sean McVay in his ninth season.
08:27He's still the fourth youngest head coach in the National Football League.
08:31Amazing.
08:31And when we asked him about Matthew Stafford, he just raved about how tough he is, how disciplined he is.
08:37He understands that he's truly an extension of the coaching staff when he's on the field.
08:43And then Brandon Staley said it best.
08:44He said that between Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay, they are always in a premier play every down, right?
08:51There's no way that you're going to get them in a bad play because between the two, they've seen it all.
08:56Defensively, they know where to check in and out.
08:58From the 23, Stafford to Nakula.
09:03Puka, hard to bring down.
09:05Takes it inside the 15-yard line on his third catch.
09:11He gains nine more yards.
09:13It is just apparent that Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, they are going to force Brandon Staley to do something he's not comfortable doing.
09:21Because Puka right now, first in catches per game, NFL ranking, second in targets and receptions.
09:27But he's going to force Staley to start playing press man, which is outside of what he wants to do schematically.
09:32Second and one.
09:33It's Williams.
09:35Another Rams first down inside the Saints 10.
09:39McKinstry made the tackle.
09:40And you talk about, you know, the great head coach, quarterback combinations through the years.
09:46And it's like McVay and Stafford share one brain.
09:50Yeah, it really is.
09:51And because of that, we're just going back to Puka for a second.
09:55The reason that I mentioned that it's going to force him to play man is because he's going to eat up everything in the zones.
10:00That's what he's been doing.
10:00He's made a living off that.
10:02Stafford, McVay, they recognize that.
10:04They're going to continue to call the plays and check into the right one to get that opportunity.
10:08Tenth play of the drive for the Rams.
10:10The fake to Williams.
10:11Stafford underneath.
10:14So Stafford starts the game six for six.
10:17Finds the tight end, Colby Parkinson.
10:21It'll be second and goal.
10:24And the balance in the play selection, four rushes, six passes.
10:29And I would love to even add in there, it's not just drop back passes.
10:32You just saw Stafford looking like a younger version of himself, making a little move on Chase Young, getting the ball to Colby Parkinson.
10:39He has that mobility, and that is really, really tough for defenders, especially guys like Demario Davis, who I just mentioned.
10:46It's not just sit there in the pocket, drop back, and then you can play defense.
10:49You've got to defend everything, every blade of glass right now.
10:53Stafford six for six, now seven for seven.
10:56It's the co-off, breaks a tackle, heads towards the goal line, and is just short.
11:02Locked out of bounds, inside the one.
11:06This is that tough man football that Sean McVay talked about with Puka.
11:11He said the toughness that he brings.
11:12Look at that, he runs right through Quincy Riley's tackle.
11:15I mean, Quincy Riley had him dead to rights for a tackle for loss.
11:19Instead, runs him over, and then continues down, gets to the one-yard line.
11:22How good was the Saints defense last week?
11:24They stopped Tampa Bay seven straight times from the water inside the water.
11:29Yeah, the Saints are no slouch defensively, especially down here in the goal line.
11:34They are going to bowl up.
11:35They're going to make the Rams really earn it.
11:39Third and goal, fake to Williams.
11:41Stafford to the end zone, wide open.
11:44Tyler Higby for a Rams touchdown.
11:53So much for making them earn it, Kenny.
11:55This was a nice design.
11:57Sean McVay making sure that you have Tyler Higby on the outside.
12:02Three tight ends in the game.
12:03Elante Taylor just lost his eyes.
12:05He had bad eyes there.
12:06He's supposed to have that tight end on the end of the line of scrimmage.
12:10Instead, he's biting up on the run game.
12:12Higby gets in there for an easy touchdown.
12:15What an opening drive for the Rams.
12:18Stafford, perfect.
12:19Eight for eight.
12:32Play was blown dead prior to the snap.
12:34John Smith, our referee today, huddling up.
12:50The ball was accidentally moved, therefore not a false start.
12:55We're just going to redo the try.
12:56So they will reset Stafford, Jonathan, connected with five different receivers during that drive, including three of his tight ends.
13:15Reminiscent of two weeks ago when they played in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars,
13:20Stafford completed the ball to ten different receivers that day.
13:23That means that he knew exactly where he wanted to go with the football.
13:27More whistles.
13:29A couple of penalty flags.
13:33False start.
13:35Offense number 69.
13:37Five-yard penalty.
13:39We played a try.
13:39Going back to Stafford and the ten completions to different receivers, what you really like is that the wide receivers, that tells you he doesn't have a selfish group, right?
13:52There's no Puka asking for the football or complaining if he's not getting it.
13:57Devontae Adams, same thing, right?
13:59Sean McVay talked about how selfless Devontae Adams has been.
14:02And this is a six-time Pro Bowler we're talking about, right?
14:05One of the best receivers in the game at a time that he was the best receiver.
14:13No whistles this time.
14:14The kick is good.
14:16The Rams take a 7-0 lead.
14:20Stafford finds hit beat.
14:23His second score of the season.
14:2512 plays, 88 yards.
14:36Hedby honoring the world champion Dodgers during his celebration.
14:46Saints went three and out.
14:48Rams lead 7-0.
14:53Shaheed takes a knee.
14:55Second opportunity for Tyler Shuck and his Saints offense.
15:01Shuck was the third quarterback drafted.
15:04Picked to the second round.
15:05You had Cam Ward and Jackson Dart.
15:08In the first round, Ward first overall, Dart 25th.
15:11And then the Saints use the 40th pick on Shuck.
15:14They were really high on Shuck.
15:16Shuck played seven years college football.
15:19He battled some injuries.
15:20He battled starting positions.
15:21And it really gave him perspective on how he's going to go out, how he goes out and performs, right?
15:26He doesn't really listen to a lot of the white noise.
15:29And I think that's something that Kevin Moore really liked about him and kind of said, you know what?
15:34He can throw the football.
15:35He's got a good mindset about him.
15:37On first down, the pass gets batted by Tyler Davis.
15:43Celebrated a birthday yesterday.
15:44Yeah, Tyler Davis is one of these defensive linemen that defensive coordinator Chris Shuler has been really excited about.
15:52You see him splitting that double team.
15:55Gets his hands up, matches the football.
15:57And fortunately for the Saints, it wasn't intercepted.
16:00There's Chris Shuler, grandson of the great Don Shuler.
16:04And he's done a phenomenal job with this defense the past two seasons.
16:12Chuck on second down, finds Kamara.
16:17Kamara up the sideline, forced out of bounds after a gain of three by McCullough.
16:26There are some of the offensive numbers.
16:29They'd love to move up in the charts.
16:31They've won just one game.
16:32Trail 7-0 here today.
16:33And one thing they have to do is find their identity.
16:36You have some very fast wide receivers.
16:39You have a phenom in Alvin Kamara at the running back position.
16:42You have to figure out what you want to be.
16:45Third down and 7.
16:47Chuck in trouble.
16:48Down he goes.
16:51Braden Fisk.
16:56Braden Fisk is arguably the best defensive tackle, or excuse me, the most athletic defensive tackle
17:03that Chris Shuler has on this defensive front.
17:06And you see that.
17:06It's only a four-man rush.
17:08They're dropping seven.
17:09But look at how they collapsed that pocket.
17:12Braden Fisk getting on the edge, beating Cesar Ruiz.
17:15And if it wasn't him, you had two other guys that were going to get there to get the sack.
17:18This is how phenomenal, how great this defensive line has been all season long.
17:24Brad's second of the league in sacks.
17:27It's the first this season for Fisk, so he joins the party.
17:31Smith out across the 40.
17:33So, excellent field position following a return of 11 yards.
17:41Fisk the sack.
17:42Another three and out for the Saints.
17:46Well, looking at offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeyer, he's talking with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shuck
17:51about what's going on.
17:52And look, they've had two three and outs.
17:54They're trying to figure out how are they going to get through with this front four.
17:57And you can see Shuck and Nussmeyer, they're talking through really the concepts.
18:01Are they seeing exactly what they thought they would see from practice?
18:05If it's everything that's scripted, great.
18:07Now they know that they can go and play off of that.
18:10Here's Blake Corum, his first carry today.
18:14Pick up of four.
18:16Now the Saints, you know, their head coach, Kellen Moore, was a quarterback in the NFL.
18:21You have Nussmeyer, the offensive coordinator, Scott Tolzien.
18:24So three quarterbacks on that coaching staff.
18:27And you know that they're going to get them coached up.
18:29The thing I worry about is overcoaching, right?
18:32There are some things that you don't want to just continue to harp on, harp on,
18:35because then you have a quarterback that's out there just thinking too much.
18:39You want a quarterback that's going to go out there, get in rhythm.
18:42He sees what he sees.
18:43And if he doesn't see it, then throw the check down, right?
18:46Second and six.
18:48Fake to Corum.
18:49Stafford fires downfield.
18:51Going deep.
18:52Diving attempt.
18:53Made by Xavier Smith.
18:57That's the first in completion.
18:58Stafford's start of the game, 8 for 8.
19:00And that was so close.
19:02Xavier Smith, he's running the routes that Tutu Atwell would run, right?
19:06Tutu Atwell, one of the fastest wide receivers.
19:09He's out.
19:10He's injured.
19:10So they bring in Xavier Smith, running that deep, deep over route.
19:15And Stafford looking intensely, trying to hope that he can get to the football.
19:19Missed it by just a little bit.
19:21We're down at six.
19:35Stafford's pass is batted.
19:37Incomplete.
19:38As we head to Carissa across town for a game break.
19:43Thank you so much.
19:44Saints head coach Sean Payton with another big victory.
19:49Broncos in first place.
19:50Evans puts it downfield.
19:58They'll keep it away from Shaheed and will pin the Saints deep.
20:04Wow.
20:04What a kick.
20:06Indeed.
20:06That was very nice.
20:0851 yards out of bounds at the two.
20:10Tyler Shuck began his collegiate career at Oregon.
20:17Spent three years there.
20:18Then it was on to Texas Tech.
20:19You mentioned the injuries he battled through.
20:22And finally, Louisville jokingly referred to himself as the grandpa of the draft class.
20:28He's 26.
20:29He's eight days older than Trevor Lawrence, who's now in his fifth season as an NFL starter.
20:38They spot the ball at the four following the tremendous punt.
20:41And it's Kamara on first down to the seven again at three as the Saints are still in search of their first first out of the day.
20:52Yeah, that's right.
20:53But it was interesting when we talked with Tyler Shuck.
20:56He didn't come off as a rookie, right?
20:59He said he was very, very calm, very poised, very relaxed.
21:02And you can tell that was the maturity that attracted Kellen Moore, wanted to draft him in the second round.
21:07And what I really appreciated was the way that he just goes about his business and mentality because he said,
21:13I had so many doubters, so many haters in college.
21:16I've just learned to tune all of that out, go out and just play football because I love it.
21:21There's Shuck on second down.
21:23It is complete to the former Ram, Brandon Cooks.
21:26And Kellen Moore telling us when we asked about Tyler Shuck, he said he has a fun confidence to him.
21:33He really does, right?
21:34He had us laughing in the interviews, and you can see that the team, they look a little more relaxed.
21:39Now, obviously, they're going against a really good Rams defense, but you kind of like that Kellen Moore,
21:44he's intentionally having these in-breaking routes for Tyler Shuck.
21:48He's completing those.
21:49He's trying to get the ball out quickly, and he's getting into these third and manageables, right?
21:53They're just not converting on these third downs.
21:55Neil in the backfield, punch formation to the left.
22:00Now, Olave shifts to the right side.
22:04Shuck on third down and two.
22:06Gets rid of it, broken up.
22:08Intended for Shahid.
22:10Third straight.
22:11The Orleans Saints three it out.
22:13Yeah, and there's Byron Young.
22:14He leads the Rams in sacks, and you just watch how quickly he comes off this edge.
22:20They're going to collapse the pocket on Shuck, and as soon as Shuck hits his back foot, you see that he had to pause.
22:25The moment that he pauses, it's too late.
22:27It's over.
22:28He's trying to step up in the pocket.
22:29Byron Young is there.
22:31Two guys are on Rasheed Shahid.
22:32There's just no chance at completing that third down.
22:35Kroger punted it from his own three.
22:38Fair count, single, Smith.
22:41Excellent field position once again, following the 49-yard punt, and a terrific start for this Rams defense.
22:48Three consecutive three and outs.
22:50Welcome back.
22:57Rams out to a 7-0 lead, scored on their opening possession.
23:02Stafford, 8 for 8 on that opening drive, connected with Higby in the end zone.
23:12Rams going to work from the 48-yard line.
23:15Hand off Kyron Williams.
23:16Williams, a couple of nice moves, gain of 7, out to the 45.
23:24Sankar and McKinstry finally brought him down.
23:28Kyron Williams, he's really done a nice job in both the running game and the passing game.
23:33See right there how really good, I really like the way that he forces a defense to stay on track.
23:40And what I mean by that is this offensive line, they're really good at positioning.
23:44When they position, they're telling him where they want that ball to go.
23:47He's going to stay there and stay on his track.
23:49And it forces a defense to follow that and be disciplined.
23:52If not, he gets big yardage like that.
23:54Suck it down, a three.
23:55Oh!
23:56Williams gets crushed by Elante Taylor.
24:04Elante Taylor is hiding behind Chase Young on this blitz.
24:07Oh, my goodness.
24:10My goodness.
24:19From this audio from our crew, loss of 5 on the play.
24:24Oh, and Elante Taylor, he's playing that nickel spot.
24:27He actually made his start playing nickel as a rookie.
24:30Earned his position on the outside.
24:32Comes back to that nickel spot because of the injuries.
24:35I really like him playing that nickel.
24:38He is so productive.
24:40Third down and eight.
24:42Stafford's pass is caught.
24:45Terrence Ferguson, the fourth tight end to catch a pass from Stafford here in the first quarter.
24:52Number 18 gains 18.
24:54Terrence Ferguson, he's the second round pick.
24:57Big, long from Oregon.
24:59He can run and you see he stretches the field.
25:02And this is where Matthew Stafford, he's so good because any one of those guys could have been a first option.
25:08He takes that match up against Justin Reed, understanding if I throw a high on my worst day, it's going to go up for Terrence.
25:14He may drop an incompletion.
25:15But that is the beauty of Matthew Stafford playing that position right now.
25:19Ferguson was the fastest tight end at the combine.
25:22His third catch of the season.
25:24Play action and Stafford is sacked.
25:27Chase Young coming through to bring down Matthew Stafford.
25:32Yeah, there's Chase Young at the top of the screen going up against Alaric Jackson.
25:38He goes right up inside.
25:39He's been having a lot of quarterback pressures, not a lot of sacks.
25:43That time gets right underneath, times it perfectly for the sack.
25:47Third sack of the season.
25:48He missed five games earlier.
25:51First quarter comes to an end.
25:537-0 Los Angeles.
25:54As we begin the second quarter, moments ago, Megan caught up with Saints head coach Kellen Moore.
26:07Coach, how do you get some momentum offensively?
26:09Yeah, we just got to execute football plays.
26:11We've got to put ourselves in good situations to be successful.
26:13We've got to play just clean football.
26:15Appreciate it.
26:18Kellen Moore, teammates with Matthew Stafford.
26:21For three seasons with the Detroit Lions, Stafford is older than Moore.
26:28And on the first play of the second quarter, on second and 18, it's complete to Puka Nikoa for a game of 15.
26:36This is why Matthew Stafford has lasted so long in the league.
26:40He is the best, if not one of the best, at throwing outside the numbers.
26:44He puts so much steam on that football.
26:46The accuracy is there.
26:48The arm talent has always been there.
26:50And because of that, he takes care of his body.
26:52He understands the defenses.
26:53There's no defense he hasn't seen.
26:55He gets that ball out there in a hurry.
26:57And you see the first quarter stats.
26:59All Rams.
27:00I mean, we know that, right?
27:01It was 3-3 and outs for the Saints offense.
27:04Rams are rolling right now.
27:06Here at SoFi Stadium, they lead 7-0.
27:09Third down at 3.
27:11Stafford looking, throws.
27:13And that's broken up by Sanker.
27:15Sanker, the rookie out of Virginia, third-round pick, gets the hand in.
27:22It's a very nice job.
27:24Sanker going against Tyler Higby.
27:27They actually bring Elante Taylor on the blitz from the outside.
27:30It doesn't get there.
27:31But you see that everyone's eyes are on the quarterback.
27:33And then he makes sure not to go through Higby, makes that pass break up.
27:38And now the Rams going for it on fourth down.
27:41It would be a 53-yard field goal attempt.
27:43They leave the offense on the field.
27:48Fourth down at 3.
27:51Stafford's pass incomplete for the flag.
27:53Lacua defended by McKinstry.
27:56Pass interference.
28:12Defense number four.
28:13The ball can break that spot on the foul.
28:15Automatic first down.
28:17This is a tough matchup.
28:20Kool-Aid McKinstry, he's going against Puka, the best wide receiver that the Rams have.
28:24And you're going to see Puka, he gets in there, and then breaks in for a slant.
28:32I've seen more obvious pass interference calls.
28:36Looked like he was low with the right hand, wrapping his arm around the waist,
28:39and then making a good play on the football.
28:42So a new set of downs, thanks to the penalty, as Williams gains dying.
28:48And we check in with Perkins.
28:51Suck it down at 1.
28:54Stafford's pass is caught for a first down by Higby along the sideline.
29:02Then a four to the Saints, 17.
29:06Take a look at Stafford's eyes.
29:08He wants to get down the field.
29:09Nothing there.
29:11Throws it outside beautifully for Tyler Higby.
29:13And Tyler Higby, I've been very impressed with his body control for a tight end.
29:19He's 6'5", but really able to control his body like a wide receiver.
29:23And look at the total plays for the offense, for the Saints, and then the first downs only
29:27for the Rams, 9 already in this first half.
29:31Saints have gone 3 and out on all three possessions.
29:33Stafford complete.
29:37It's Higby again.
29:40Well, Higby with his third catch.
29:44Six completions to the tight ends for Matthew Stafford.
29:49A gate of 9.
29:50Yeah, down here in the red zones where they really like these tight end screens, they have
29:54three really good tight ends that run in.
29:56And then just look at Stafford, how he's evolved with his arm, right?
29:59It used to be his rookie year, first five, seven years, it was just, I got a big right arm,
30:04right?
30:04I can throw it everywhere, as I mentioned, outside the numbers all day, every day.
30:08Now he's got these arm angles, right?
30:10He's got the sidearm going.
30:11He's got the no-look going.
30:13And he's really improved in that regard at quarterback.
30:16That's why I'm telling you, he's playing his best ball right now.
30:18And you would know, you faced him in his NFL debut back in 2009.
30:23Vince Williams, who picks up a Rams first down, so now they have more first downs than plays run
30:30by the New Orleans Saints.
30:32And it has been balanced by the Rams offense.
30:35They've got the run game going, the passing game going.
30:38They've been inside with the run game, outside with the passing game.
30:42They're moving Matthew Stafford out of the pocket.
30:45They did, I mean, Sean McVay is calling a beautiful game right now.
30:48And you can see he's kept Brandon Staley and the Saints defense completely off balance so far.
30:56They had a 12th play scoring drive earlier.
30:58This will be the 11th play of dispossession.
31:03Stafford throws, and this one is out of the reach of the tight end, Allen.
31:08Yeah, there's a flag on the play.
31:09They're going to get Elante Taylor.
31:17Holding, defense number one.
31:20Five-yard penalty, automatic first down.
31:22That's the second key penalty committed by the Saints defense during this Rams drive.
31:27Yeah, and I'm frankly surprised, Tyler Higby is going to go up against Elante Taylor.
31:34And the reason I'm surprised is Elante Taylor has one assignment on the goal line.
31:39You've got the end man on the line of scrimmage.
31:41Gave up the touchdown to Tyler Higby.
31:43Took his eyes off of him that time.
31:44He got his eyes on him this time.
31:46But it's not a wide receiver.
31:48Like, he's a big body.
31:49You can just kind of move with your feet as opposed to grabbing.
31:52Elante Taylor is a better player than what we've seen right now on the goal line.
31:55Three tight ends for the Rams.
31:58And now he has a matchup against Devontae Adams at the bottom of the screen.
32:02First and goal from the three.
32:05Stafford, Adams, touchdown.
32:11You pointed out the matchup.
32:15Rams celebrate as they extend their lead.
32:19Second touchdown pass today for Stafford.
32:22You're looking at one of the best wide receivers to play the game.
32:25And the reason he was so good, it was always a separation and his ability to beat press man.
32:31Elante Taylor had no chance.
32:33Couldn't get a hand on him.
32:34He gets inside.
32:35And Matthew Stafford read that immediately.
32:38Knew it was going to be a slant and gets a touchdown.
32:40Devontae Adams reached the end zone three times in the Rams' last game against Jacksonville.
32:46Whoa.
32:47The extra point is no good.
32:51Looked like you kicked that, Kenny.
32:53Whoa.
32:55That was better than what it would have looked like when I kicked it.
32:58Stafford finds Adams 13-0 Rams.
33:01Devontae Adams celebrates 11 plays, 62 yards.
33:14Stafford with touchdown passes to Higby and Adams.
33:18Following the missed extra point, 13-0 lead for the Rams.
33:26Fox College Football Friday is under the lights at primetime as Jaden Maiavo leads 20th-ranked
33:33USC in one of the nation's best offenses against Northwestern.
33:37Friday night at 9 Eastern, 6 Pacific, on Fox.
33:41Yeah, USC had a nice win yesterday versus Nebraska.
33:44Kind of went back and forth.
33:46They finally settled in, got that victory.
33:49Right now, Tyler Shuff is on the sideline.
33:53And then you have Taysom Hill.
33:56He's going to be at the quarterback position.
33:58And Chris Shula, he had tags for this.
34:00I'll describe what tags are after this play.
34:02So, Taysom Hill takes the snap, takes the handoff to Kamara, goes up the middle,
34:09and picks up the first first down, and he's still going.
34:13Finally dragged down by Cam Curl at the Rams' 36-yard line.
34:22Yeah, Taysom Hill, the size of Taysom Hill, 240 pounds.
34:26He likes the contact.
34:29Obviously, that tag didn't work for Chris Shula.
34:31Nice run by Taysom Hill, and you got Cesar Ruiz, who's down right now, the right guard for the Saints.
34:41Taysom Hill with a 29-yard pickup.
34:45Over the last three games, the Saints did not have a single run longer than nine yards.
34:52With the offensive line that they have, I understand they got a rookie and left tackle, Kelvin Bates.
34:56But you have some good players on the offensive line, and, of course, Alvin Kamara.
35:00Just surprised to hear that stat.
35:03But really good to see Cesar Ruiz.
35:05He's up, walking on his own, no help from the training staff.
35:09Right now, Dylan Raddance is going to be in the game at that right guard position for the Saints.
35:17But going back to the tags I mentioned with defensive coordinator Chris Shula,
35:21he said that based on the personnel with Taysom Hill in the game,
35:24they have these automatic checks that they would do.
35:27So, Tyler Shuck is on the sideline, Taysom Hill, our quarterback.
35:29He has about three tags that he calls a defense,
35:33and it tags to a certain defense based on Taysom Hill and the personnel.
35:39So, Hill gains 29.
35:42Now, we'll keep it once again.
35:45This time, just one yard for Hill, who we've seen through the years.
35:50At quarterback, he has started games at the position.
35:53Yeah.
35:54The Saints looking to change things up after the three consecutive three and outs
35:57with Tyler Shuck at his first NFL start.
36:00And it's no surprise, Chris Shula said that they expected a big dose of Taysom Hill today.
36:05They're getting it right now.
36:07Cesar Ruiz went into the blue tent.
36:09Hopefully, he's going to be okay.
36:10But right now, it's Taysom Hill getting a spark and a little production
36:13for this offense at that quarterback spot.
36:20Suck it down at nine.
36:21Pass incomplete.
36:23Suck it down at nine.
36:24Pass incomplete.
36:24Suck it down at four.
36:25Suck it down at nine.
36:25Pass incomplete.
36:25Suck it down at four.
36:25Suck it down at nine.
36:27And this is part of the first 15 that Chris Shula was so worried about.
36:34He said, Kellen Moore does a really nice job with his first 15,
36:37and especially when they go tempo.
36:39So that was part of it, right?
36:40These are scripted plays.
36:42That's what the first 15 is.
36:43First 15 plays of the offense.
36:45You go over it with your quarterback, with your offense the night before,
36:49make sure everyone's comfortable, and then you go and run them, right?
36:52And just bam, bam, bam, put them out there.
36:54First nine, not so good.
36:55First nine, this last half has been a little bit better for the Saints offense.
36:59So, Shuck back on the field.
37:00Third down at nine.
37:02Shuck throws, and it is caught.
37:05What a catch.
37:07Led by Cooks.
37:09Spent a couple of seasons with the Rams, and he picks up a Saints first down.
37:14Yeah, this is a very nice job by Cooks, gets in there, and you see that Kobe Durant, he read that beautifully.
37:19That's a nice ball by Tyler Shuck, and a good job of Brandon Cooks going back to the football, attacking it, getting the first down for the Saints.
37:28Now, Shuck hands it off.
37:29It's Devin Neal up the middle.
37:31The rookie out of Kansas, three straight thousand-yard seasons, the all-time leading rusher for the Jayhawks, sixth-round pick.
37:39Neal goes up the middle.
37:41And they're still going a little tempo here again, Kenny, but you see what the run game does, right?
37:45When you get the run game going, how it just loosens up the defense.
37:48Now, here's Shuck after the fake-to-deal.
37:54It will be third down and three for the Saints.
37:59That's why we always harp on having balance offensively.
38:03You want to see the run game get going, because I remember those times when I couldn't stop the run as a linebacker.
38:09All of a sudden, I'm getting up there too quickly.
38:11They have play action.
38:12They get right behind me, and that's when you start to see the rhythm of the offense go.
38:15Seventh play of this drive for the Saints' offense.
38:22Neal remains in the backfield.
38:23You have a new right guard.
38:26You have Fortner at center for the injured Eric McCoy.
38:31And here's Neal.
38:32Nice tackle.
38:34He is close to a first down.
38:37Spades made the tackle.
38:40Take a look at Omar Spades.
38:43Just unloads on Devin Neal.
38:45Ruiz back in.
38:46That's good news for the Saints.
38:48Yeah, right guard, Cesar Ruiz, jogs back in.
38:51No hesitation from Kellen Moore going forward on this fourth down.
39:04Fourth down and one.
39:05Chuck, the toss, and a flag.
39:10The player's blown dead.
39:14False start.
39:15Offense number 71.
39:17Five-john Kelly.
39:19That's on the rookie left tackle.
39:21Banks, so it turns into a fourth and six.
39:23And now the Saints will send out the field goal unit.
39:25It's a good thing that he false started.
39:27This play was going to go nowhere.
39:28Look at how many blue jerseys you see tracking down Kamara.
39:33Good thing that he's false started.
39:34They would not have converted that fourth down.
39:36At least they get an opportunity for a field goal try.
39:42This will be a 39-yard attempt from the left hash for Blake Kruppi.
39:47And the kick is good, so penalty actually helped the Saints, according to Jonathan Vilma.
39:59They sure did.
40:00And they put three points on the board, trail by 10.
40:05Some great work by the Rams rookies on Tuesday.
40:08They participated in building a home in Englewood for the widow of a veteran through Habitat for Humanity.
40:16And that is great stuff.
40:19Really like seeing the rookies being a part of the community.
40:23What I really like is the Rams organization showing them that it's a responsibility, right?
40:28It's a mandate that you be a part of the community.
40:31You know how you're impacting these lives.
40:33It's not just about Sundays.
40:34They come and pay and watch you play.
40:35It's about really being a part of the leadership throughout the community.
40:39So nice job by the Rams and the rookies.
40:43Rams offense back to work.
40:44Matthew Stafford with two touchdown passes today.
40:47Yeah, speaking of leaders, Matthew Stafford has been dicing the Saints defense.
40:51He's been doing it with his feet on the outside, getting those rollouts.
40:54And, of course, with his arm and Tyler Higbee getting that touchdown.
40:58It's just, frankly, been too easy for Matthew Stafford.
41:03Him and the wide receivers, tight ends, they are all in sync right now.
41:08And remember Brandon Staley saying the hardest part is Sean McVay makes you defend all five skill guys.
41:15The running backs, the tight ends, the wide receivers.
41:17And you see Matthew Stafford in lockstep with Sean McVay about how he wants to distribute the football.
41:24Wide receivers, tight ends.
41:25Everybody's getting in on the action.
41:26On first down, Stafford, pump fake, throws, and it's caught by Smith.
41:34So that's the eighth catch by a wide receiver.
41:36Nakua has five, Adams two, and now Smith and Stafford also has six completions to the tight ends.
41:44Yeah.
41:44Out goes Smith.
41:45In comes Jordan Whittington.
41:46And they're really making up that production of, as I mentioned earlier, Tutu Atwell.
41:54He's injured for them, but you see Pukka Nakua.
41:57He's running, he's running, he's running.
41:58Yeah.
41:59He's running.
41:59He's running.
41:59He's running.
41:59He's running.
41:59He's running.
41:59He's running.
42:00Yeah.
42:02This is Corum.
42:03First down and more.
42:06Inside the 40 of the Saints.
42:09Blake Corum.
42:11Gage 22.
42:13And you're going to watch the positioning of the offensive line.
42:16And Pukka Nakua, you see how I mentioned, they don't have to necessarily get pushed.
42:21They just make sure they turn their hips.
42:23They're telling Blake Corum where to take this football.
42:26And they leave a nice lane for him to run right through.
42:29And he burst through that hole for a big first down.
42:31Corum in his second season out of Michigan.
42:33That's his longest run in the NFL.
42:36Yeah, he's learned that from Kyron Williams.
42:43Nakua in motion.
42:44From the 49.
42:49Stafford fires downfield.
42:51It is caught.
42:53Touchdown.
42:55Pukka Nakua.
42:55This is outstanding.
43:11Matthew Stafford, that big arm I talked about outside the numbers, places it perfectly for Puka,
43:17who gets behind Kool-Aid McKinstry.
43:20Notice how late Puka put his arms out.
43:23There was no way for Kool-Aid to make a play on that football.
43:26He just didn't know when it was going to land.
43:28And Puka does a tremendous job getting behind him.
43:31Rolled him to sleep with all those intermediate short routes.
43:34Then does a double move.
43:35And you have one of the best quarterbacks in the game throwing on target, on money, for that touchdown.
43:40Touchdown has been confirmed as Nakua came down and grazed the pylon.
43:50Remember, Cardi missed the last extra point attempt.
43:54This one is good.
43:55Matthew Stafford, five touchdowns in the last game against the Jaguars.
44:02Has three in the first half for Sean McVay here today.
44:06Who can I call a celebrating with his head coach returning after missing the game against Jacksonville?
44:23How about the day that Matthew Stafford has had up to this point?
44:27This is so fun to watch.
44:29It's almost an embarrassment of riches for Matthew Stafford and these offensive skill guys he has.
44:37Stafford talking with, looks like the tight ends, and he's gotten them in on the action as well.
44:42I mean, the way that he is manipulating the defense.
44:46You've seen him throw the no-look passes, arm angles.
44:50I mean, he is the best in the business at manipulating the safeties, looking them off.
44:53If you notice, all these throws to the outside, there's never two guys contesting, right?
44:58It's always a corner, one-on-one, having to make a spectacular play or a safety one-on-one.
45:03That's because those safeties can't get there the way that Matthew Stafford reads or makes them read off of what he's looking for.
45:10When he really wants an outside route, he's going to the left and throwing back to the right.
45:14From the 35, Shuck on first down, some miscommunication with Kamara.
45:24It will be second and ten.
45:25There's Matthew Stafford with his family, his kids, all wearing the jerseys of his high school teammate
45:33who won another World Series championship last night, Clayton Kershaw.
45:38What a game that was.
45:39The Dodgers, what a way to end Kershaw's career.
45:43Indeed.
45:43Man, that was a game, and you see the love we asked him about.
45:46Hey, I know you like to read.
45:48He said, I do.
45:48And I was like, what books are you reading?
45:50And he's like, it's all children's books right now.
45:52Dr. Seuss, Bad Kitty, anything for his four daughters.
45:57There's Kamara.
46:03And there it is.
46:04Congratulations, L.A. Dodgers, back-to-back World Series champions, Yamamojo, the Dodgers fans.
46:12What a game.
46:13That was a tremendous game.
46:16I mean, literally from the ninth inning all the way to the end, you're on the edge of your seat, right?
46:22You're trying to figure out, okay, what's going to happen?
46:24You had spectacular play after a home run after another spectacular play.
46:28I mean, that was just a good game seven all around.
46:30Third down and seven.
46:38Chuck under pressure, throws, and it's incomplete.
46:41Kamara unable to make the catch.
46:46Yeah, Cam Crow coming on the blitz from the top of the screen, and you're going to see him come in there.
46:52That's what forces Chuck out of the pocket, tries to make the throw.
46:55Kamara could have made that catch.
46:57Instead, it's an incompletion and a fourth down.
47:04Saints go three and out for the fourth time today.
47:08The catch signal from Smith at the 16-yard line, 47-yard punt.
47:25Rams lead by 17.
47:27And there's Puka, six targets, six catches, 87 yards, and that beautiful touchdown.
47:38And we asked Sean McVay about him, and I remember Sean McVay saying, when we lost Robert Woods,
47:44we were looking for another Robert Woods.
47:46Robert Woods was a tough wide receiver, and in comes Puka, gets drafted in the fifth round.
47:52He's been everything that Sean McVay's wanted with the toughness, the attitude that he brings to this deep, to this same, oh, excuse me, Rams offense.
48:01Kyron Williams on first down.
48:04He's having such a great day today because he's always been really good at tempoing his routes, sitting down in the zones, and that's how he lulls defenses to sleep.
48:14You see all these short, intermediate routes, the toughness here, running through the tackle, and then all of a sudden, a double move comes.
48:21They always time it up where they get about three or four intermediate routes, intermediate routes, and then all of a sudden, that double move comes, gets behind the defense, and gets a touchdown.
48:30Now, on second and three, Williams puts up the first down, and when we spoke with Stafford about Puka, he said he reminds me of a former teammate of mine in Detroit, Anquan Bolden.
48:47He was so right.
48:48The way he attached the ball.
48:49Yes, so accurate.
48:50When he said Anquan Bolden, I immediately thought to the times I played against him, Anquan Bolden played 14 seasons in the NFL, most notably with the Ravens and how tough he was.
48:59I remember guys just frankly didn't want to tackle him.
49:02The size, the aggression, he played with the Cardinals as well, and the way that he would go and attack defenses.
49:07That's exactly what Puka Nakua does as well.
49:12From the 31, on first down, they keep it on the ground.
49:16Up the middle, Williams, gate of five.
49:20Just watching Puka and what makes him so great, beating press man, you notice how patient he is, and because he's so tough, he waits for the corners to put their hands out.
49:28But as soon as they do that, he runs right through that contact, gets the separation.
49:33So he does that play in, play in, play out, and then all of a sudden, the double move comes.
49:37Just like he did a double move on Kule McKinstry, he does it here against the Colts, and again, waits for the corner to put his hands out.
49:44As soon as he does, bam, gets another bit of separation, and he's always going to make that catch.
49:49Second down and five, Stafford sets, and now he falls, wide open, it's Ferguson.
50:02They had a big play earlier, and now another, all the way to the Rams, 29, as Ferguson gains 35 yards on the catch and run.
50:11Yeah, Ferguson comes in and then back out, and that's what holds the safety.
50:18Usually, these tight ends are known for running these over routes, as opposed to just running up the field in a seven like a wide receiver.
50:25But you mentioned, Kenny, the fastest 40 in the combine last year, gets drafted in the second round.
50:31He's able to stretch the field just like a wide receiver, that time getting a nice chunk of yardage.
50:35Yeah, fastest 40 among all the tight ends. Stafford with seven completions to his four tight ends today.
50:43Hands it off to Corum, and he gets thrown down by Chase Young.
50:49Good to see a little bit of aggression from the Saints defense.
50:53A little bit of Ohio State, Michigan.
50:54Oh, there we go. That's why the aggression came, right?
50:57Just sling them down, and bam, stays outside. It's a nice job.
51:01And, you know, we were really impressed with the Saints defense last week.
51:05They went against a good Bucs offense.
51:07We were expecting them to come out today, be physical, be violent, be disciplined.
51:11And really, it's been the Rams taking it to the Saints defense today.
51:24What's going on down there?
51:25You mentioned our terrific audio crew earlier.
51:34Oh, that was terrific.
51:37I love hearing all of that.
51:39Neutral zone in fashion.
51:41Defense number 99.
51:44This foul occurred before the two-minute warning.
51:46Five-yard penalty.
51:48Second down.
51:50Makes you feel like you're right back down on the field.
51:51Yes, without all the hitting and all that extracurricular, I'm good.
51:58I only talk a tough game now, Kenny.
52:00I got no bite.
52:02All bark.
52:03A couple of hundred feet away from the field.
52:05Talk a little trash up here in the booth.
52:09Now we hit the two-minute warning.
52:11With the Rams on the move.
52:14Stafford, three touchdown passes, leading the Saints by 17.
52:18We'll look at Griffith Observatory.
52:25Verizon halftime coming up with Curt, Terry, Howie, Michael, and Julian.
52:29How about Julian mentioning on the pregame show, he played against Sean McVay in college.
52:34Julian Edelman, quarterback at Kent State in Ohio.
52:38Sean McVay was a wide receiver at Miami of Ohio.
52:41Who won?
52:42Who won?
52:42Hopefully Julian will fill us in during the Verizon halftime.
52:48Catch made by Smith.
52:50You know, Sean McVay, back in his high school days, 2004, he was the Georgia Offensive Player of the Year.
52:57You know who he beat out?
52:58Calvin Johnson.
53:00Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson.
53:01You think he's ever told Calvin's ex-teamate Matthew Stafford that story?
53:06I'm sure he has a couple of times.
53:09If he did, and I would, right?
53:11You beat out Calvin Johnson at anything.
53:12I'm going to brag about it.
53:14So, Julian, we'd love to hear the details of that Kent State, Miami of Ohio encounter.
53:19Yeah, according to Julian, he had 500 yards passing.
53:21Of course.
53:22It was a blowout on first down, Williams diving forward.
53:28Brandes in the stop.
53:29He gave up two to the 13.
53:33Remember, the Saints won the toss, elected to receive, so the Rams not only look at the score here,
53:39but they will get the ball first following halftime.
53:42Yeah, well, both teams have all their timeouts, and clearly the Rams are in no hurry to run another play as
53:48they've just been methodically moving the ball down on the Saints' defense.
53:53I would almost look for the Saints to start calling time now,
53:56try to preserve some time and give their offense a chance.
54:00Zuck it down at eight.
54:02Fake to Williams.
54:04Once again, it's a tight end.
54:06It's Allen.
54:07There's a flag as he will be stopped short.
54:14And it looks like this will go against the Rams.
54:18I think it's going to be an offensive face mask, Kenny, with Davis Allen.
54:31Personal foul.
54:33Face mask.
54:34Offense number 87.
54:3515 yards.
54:36Go to the second down.
54:41Take a look.
54:42He's going against the rookie Jonas Sanker.
54:44Jonas is getting there, and then, oh, yeah.
54:47Yep.
54:47No question about it.
54:48Yeah.
54:54It was Devontae Adams.
54:56He was so ready to celebrate.
54:58We already saw him dancing on the sideline.
55:00He just wanted to celebrate and dance again.
55:01So, the penalty forces the Rams back to the 21-yard line.
55:12One of the second Rams penalty there.
55:14The second least penalized team in the league this season.
55:19Game granting Williams 6, won 12, 1, 2, 3.
55:23Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
55:24Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
55:26Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
55:27Ha ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
55:28And now, at a time out, Shaw McVay hustled down the sid lines.
55:32They look to put points on the
55:33board late in the second
55:38quarter Rams lead to the Saints
55:45twenty to three.
55:47What a first half it's been for
55:48Matthew Stafford.
55:49It really has been and I just
55:52mentioned we had talked about
55:54the Bucks game and the Saints
55:55defensively how well they played
55:57it.
55:57I mean Matthew Stafford Sean
55:59McVay this offense they have
56:01done a tremendous job of really
56:03just keeping them completely off
56:04balance.
56:05I mean it looks like the defense
56:07for the Saints are just
56:08scrambling right just scrambling
56:09and try to do anything that they
56:10can because it's been the outside
56:13game the inside game the run game
56:14and we thought that would be the
56:16strength of the Saints today and
56:18so far nothing doing.
56:21And Albert Vey down the sidelines
56:23again shot with the official
56:26second at fifteen Stafford was
56:28under pressure that he throws it
56:30away you see a lot a Taylor getting
56:34in there and he's going to be
56:36blitzing as well from this side
56:37of the screen and Chase Young
56:39gets in there what I like is
56:41that Brandon Staley is starting
56:42to recognize if we can get
56:45Matthew Stafford off of his spot
56:46not designed rollouts design
56:49boot action but.
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