“I looked right at Sean, he looked at me … and was like here we go,” Stafford said. “That’s what it’s all about. Amazing job by our defense today getting us the ball over and over again. Whether it’s stops on fourth down or turnovers, they were timely and timely. That’s what it takes to win in the playoffs.
“Sometimes offenses will go out and have a great day and find a way to win it, and sometimes defenses will have a day like they did today and keep us in it as long as they did and then make plays to get the ball back. It’s a team effort. We have a resilient group. We love being a part of it. Sure, things we can do better in January, but what matters is what we can do better in January.
Stafford was only able to make such a happy comment after he channeled his inner All-Pro, firing a ridiculously accurate pass over his shoulders forward to Davante Adams for a sideline finish to push the Rams into Bears territory. Three plays later, Stafford properly anticipated another Bears blitz, ripping a ball to Puka Nacua for a Chicago third down. After moving three yards closer, the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes rested on the shoulders of Mevis and their undersized special teams.
Despite earlier struggles in the third phase of the game, Stafford had nothing but faith in Mevis.
“Shoot, I was confident. Every time we’ve asked him, he’s stepped up and scored,” Stafford said. “He does that in practice all the time. He’s consistent. He’s game. I just knew the blood pressure would be low, he’d be ready to rock and roll. Great action. Great snap, good hold. It’s not an easy situation to do something like that in. Obviously a great kick there to win it for us.”
In the playoffs, the goal is often simple: survive and advance. The Rams demonstrated that mantra Sunday night, overcoming both personal struggles and emotional setbacks that would have brought down weaker teams.
For Stafford and McVay – battle-tested professionals who share the same goal – such adversity would not extinguish their dream. Not so easily.
“There are no style points,” McVay said. “It’s about being able to survive up front and we were able to do that in a tough, hostile environment and it was cold as s— today.”
Fortunately, the Rams had enough ice in their veins to get the job done.