INGLEWOOD, CA — Amongst an electric type of atmosphere with over 70,000 fans in attendance as everyone witnessed greatness from the new Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who guided the team to a 34-14 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.
Stafford threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns with a quarterback passer rating of 158.1. The passer rating record is 158.3, as Stafford is the first player in NFL history to win his team debut while passing for 300 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions according to Elias Sports Bureau.
He connected early with Van Jefferson on a 67-yard touchdown catch that gave the Rams the early 7-0 lead. The offensive line did a great job holding off the Bears defense long enough for Stafford to spread the ball around to his receivers that include Desean Jackson, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and tight end Tyler Higbee.
“I was feeling good,” Stafford said about throwing his first touchdown as a Rams quarterback. “That’s a pretty good start. … I was just jacked up and having fun out there.”
“It was exactly what we wanted and it was from a bunch of different guys,” McVay said regarding spreading the ball around.
Stafford’s dominate performance also ignited the Rams defense as corner back Jalen Ramsey and David Love Jr. rotated all over the field that frustrated quarterback Andy Dalton all evening.
In the third quarter four plays in, Stafford connected with a streaking Cooper Kupp for a 56-yard touchdown that extended the lead 20-7 for Los Angeles. Stafford finished with a touchdown pass to Robert Woods in the back of the end zone in the fourth quarter that put the nail in the coffin for the Bears.
Kupp finished with seven receptions, 108 yard and a touchdown while Woods caught three passes for 27 yards and touchdown. Jefferson finished with two catches for 80 yards and a touchdown in the win.
“His command. His swag. Like everything was great,” Ramsey said. “That’s probably a debut that will go down in history.”
The Rams head to Lucas Oil Stadium next Sunday to face the Indianapolis Colts at 10AM PT.
