qQprepares to hand off to running back Sony Michel #25 of the Los Angeles Rams against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Safety Jordan Fuller #4 of the Los Angeles Rams just misses a interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Tight end Tyler Higbee #89 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass for first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams in the huddle against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Safety Andrew Wingard #42 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles running back Sony Michel #25 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Inside linebacker Ernest Jones #50 of the Los Angeles Rams read after a tackle against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
James O’Shaughnessy #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars drops a pass in front of inside linebacker Ernest Jones #50 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
James O’Shaughnessy #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars drops a pass in front of inside linebacker Ernest Jones #50 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Football fans hold up signs in the first half of a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Jacksonville Jaguars at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Dawuane Smoot #91 of the Jacksonville Jaguars recited after stacking quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek #18 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass for first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams on the bench against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams on the bench against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek #18 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass for first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek #18 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass for first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams is injured and leaves the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams is injured and leaves the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek #18 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass for first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Rams defense tackles wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. #10 of the Jacksonville Jaguars for a loss of yards in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Head coach Urban Meyer of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Running back Sony Michel #25 of the Los Angeles Rams is tripped up against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams its tackled by defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris #95 of the Jacksonville Jaguars and has to leave the game wirth a injury in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars hands off against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Kicker Matt Gay #8 of the Los Angeles Rams kicks a field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with teammates after running back Sony Michel #25 runs for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass for first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Head coach Urban Meyer of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams pressures quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Running back Sony Michel #25 of the Los Angeles Rams runs for the touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek #18 of the Los Angeles Rams drops a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass for first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Los Angeles Rams recovers a fumble by running back James Robinson #25 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams tackles running back James Robinson #25 of the Jacksonville Jaguars as he fumbles and the Los Angeles Rams recover in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams tackles running back James Robinson #25 of the Jacksonville Jaguars as he fumbles and the Los Angeles Rams recover in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, December 5, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up prior to a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Saturday, August 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up prior to a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Saturday, August 14, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
INGLEWOOD — Matthew Stafford was down on his back, not far from the penalty flag drawn by one of the two big defensive lineman who’d landed on Stafford’s chest after he released a pass. The Rams’ quarterback was going through more pain. SoFi Stadium held its breath as trainers sprinted onto the field.
Stafford had been under fire after a series of costly mistakes in recent games, but suddenly fans faced the chilling thought of where the Rams would be without him.
He would be able to get up, walk off the field and return after missing only one play, and then keep proving his value in more enjoyable ways.
With Stafford getting off the turf to have his best game in a month, the Rams pulled away from the Jacksonville Jaguars to win 37-7 at SoFi Stadium on Sunday afternoon and end a losing streak at three games.
“He’s our guy. We go as he goes,” Rams coach Sean McVay said after Stafford went for 26 completions in 38 attempts for 295 yards, three touchdowns and his first turnover-free game since October.
One of those completions, to wide receiver Van Jefferson for 19 yards to the Jaguars’ 27 when it was still a one-score game, came on Stafford’s first play back from the hit that apparently knocked the breath out of him.
“To be able to come back after that shot he took, deliver a great throw to Van over the middle and put us in scoring position, I think continues to personify the toughness and everything that’s right about Matthew,” McVay said.
“He’s a tough guy. He won’t tell me anything. ‘I’m good, I’m good.’ ‘What’s wrong with you?’ ‘I’m good.’ “
The Rams’ most lopsided victory since their 2018 Super Bowl season wasn’t a perfect performance and didn’t necessarily mean they’ve turned things around.
The Rams (8-4) asserted their superiority over the Jaguars (2-10) only after a sloppy first-half performance that gave hope to one of the NFL’s worst teams.
And the celebration won’t be long before the Rams go to Arizona to face the Cardials next Monday night, with their slim chance for a division title at risk.
Their offense will have to pick up where it left off in the second half, when Stafford and Cooper Kupp began to click as they had early in the season. Stafford hit the receiver for 43 yards and then 29 and a touchdown on one drive, 8 and 19 on another drive to a short scoring pass to Van Jefferson.
After a 1-yard scoring pass to Odell Beckham Jr., the Rams had touchdowns on their first three drives after halftime and Stafford was on his way to his best day in more than a month.
Stafford’s most important accomplishment was getting through the game without an interception or fumble after throwing a pick-six and committing two turnovers in each of the Rams’ losses to the Titans, 49ers and Packers in November.
“I just try to attack each game and treat it as an opportunity to go play great,” Stafford said. “Sometimes that doesn’t happen.
“I tried to make sure I wasn’t putting the ball in harm’s way, and our guys were getting open and making catches.”
Kupp caught eight passes for 129 yards, reaching 100 catches in a season for the first time, maintaining his NFL leads in the major receiving categories and becoming the sixth player in the Super Bowl era to record at least 90 receiving yards in eight or more consecutive games.
With Darrell Henderson active but not playing because of a thigh injury, Sony Michel got all the carries and rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown, the best day by a Rams running back this season.
Helping was McVay’s move to bolster the run blocking, repeatedly putting backup lineman Joe Noteboom in as an eligible receiver. The line fought through a hard day when center Brian Allen went out with a knee injury and left guard David Edwards with a foot injury. Coleman Shelton replaced Allen, and Edwards returned to the game.
On defense, meanwhile, Aaron Donald and Ernest Jones combined for two sacks of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence twice as the No. 1 overall draft was held to 145 yards passing.
The improved pass rush was a natural result of the Rams playing with an early lead for a change.
“It was fun,” Donald said. “You got to pin your ears back a little bit.”
The Rams weren’t as convincing in the first half, taking one of the uglier 16-7 leads they’ll ever wish to have.
Their touchdown, on a 27-yard drive to a 5-yard push by Michel, was set up by a Jaguars fumble forced by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
But they had gone 0 for 6 on third downs — that number improved to 5 for 6 in the second half — and failed to take full advantage of their best field advantage in weeks.
They’d settled for three Matt Gay field goals, the first after starting the game in Jaguars territory thanks to first-time kickoff returner Brandon Powell’s 65-yard run with the opening kick.
The Jaguars’ touchdown, a 1-yard run by Carlos Hyde that cut the Rams’ lead to 10-7, was the result of lax and undisciplined defense.
The Rams gave up conversions on two third downs and a fourth, a pair of those coming on runs by Lawrence. Ramsey was flagged for taunting and Darious Williams was called for holding inside the red zone. Those were two of the team’s five penalties in the first half.
None of which looked worse than when Stafford was buried by the Jaguars’ Roy Robertson-Harris and Dawuane Smoot as he threw a first-down pass from the Rams’ 36 late in the first half. Stafford clutched his chest as he lay on the turf. John Wolford trotted out to play quarterback.
But after Wolford executed a handoff to Michel, Stafford returned from the bench and finished the field-goal drive.
“Didn’t feel great,” Stafford said. “I was able to kind of walk it off and keep playing. Just a little chest shot.”
Stafford’s health has been a topic of speculation after he missed practice time with a stiff back before the Rams’ loss to the Titans, played with a sore ankle against the 49ers, and was reported to have a sore arm too.
The Rams need him to hang tough. But that goes for all of them as they stand two games behind the Cardinals in the NFC West, their division-title hopes in the balance as they go to face the division leaders in a week in Glendale, Ariz.
“It sure feels good to be back on the winning side of things,” McVay said, “and now we’ve got to be able to build on it.”
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