INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Sean McVay met for the first time Mayfield baker four years ago on a flight for NFL Scouting Complex from Los Angeles to Indianapolis.
Little did McVay know then that the two would combine to create one of the most historic, unlikely victories in tournament history.
“It’s like we drew it,” McVay quipped at the start of Thursday’s post-match press conference.
Only 48 hours after joining RamsMayfield revived his new team from a 13-point deficit in the fourth inning with a pair of touches—the latter lasted eight innings and 98 yards with less than two minutes left.
The night culminates when Mayfield finds Van Jefferson on the 23-yard TD fading route with nine seconds left to secure a push, 17-16 victory before the visit Las Vegas raid at SoFi Stadium. That broke the reigning Super Bowl champion’s six-game losing streak, while also rekindling a previously unknown coach-midfield relationship.
Just three weeks ago, Mayfield was substituted in Carolina donate Sam Darnold. Just three days ago, the former No. 1 player asked to debut. required Panthers, leading to a fresh start in Los Angeles, as the Rams were the only team to issue a waiver request for Oklahoma State product.
Mayfield was in LA for both days and practiced once with the Rams before Thursday’s heroics. McVay started John Wolford, but only for a series. With Matthew Stafford out due to a spinal cord injury and Wolford injured his neck, McVay opted to replace Mayfield Bryce Perkins.
That decision took just 60 minutes to pay off, as LA’s 98-yard march to win the game was the NFL’s longest touchdown to begin in the final two minutes of the past 45 seasons. , according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The two days before Mayfield’s debut is also the shortest amount of time a player spends on a new team before playing QB at least since 1995, according to NFL Research. Mayfield showed that opportunity by leading the victory in the eighth game of his career.
“I was really impressed,” McVay said. “I don’t know if I can say I’m surprised because I’ve always been a fan of the things he can do. But I have to say I was expecting this, it definitely exceeded our expectations. But it’s fun to watch him work.”
Mayfield completed 22 of 35 230-yard passes and a touchdown without interception. That includes going 15/20 for 141 yards in the fourth round. The Rams were assisted by two defensive penalties on the way forward – a call obstructing a pass in the back corner Amik Robertson against Jefferson, and an unsportsmanlike penalty to the defensive midfielder Jerry Artillery for hitting the ball out of Mayfield’s hands after the game was over.
QB’s heroism is also made up of his defensive ability Josh Jacobs in third and first from Vegas’ 34-yard line just before the two-minute warning, forcing the Raiders to play the game. Jacobs finished with 99 javelins but took 27 hits to reach them. The Raiders lost 5-8, ending their three-game winning streak. This marked their fourth loss of the season with a double-digit lead after halftime.
“I don’t know if you can write it better than that,” Mayfield said. “Obviously we wanted it to be a little less intense, but honestly, it’s a pretty good story. It’s very special.”
Mayfield particularly impressed his new teammates with his ability to learn a new book in no time, play on command, and confidence in a high-leverage situation with the game going.
“No matter what happens from here on out, I have nothing but respect for Baker Mayfield,” the recipient said. Ben Skowronek, who had a winning catch at 32 yards. “For a guy to come in like that, work hard for 48 hours and learn the game plan – learn our names (laughs) – hats off to him. He played great tonight. .
“I’m excited to fight him. I would fight him any day. He’s the kind of opponent you want to play against. It’s amazing.”
run backwards Cam Akers Mayfield said she showed confidence and composure in the group chat.
“It shocked me,” Akers said. “It’s not his ability, it’s just how he’s able to catch the offense, step in and know everything. That was hard for me to believe, but he did. It was one great advantage for him.”
McVay said he witnessed that confidence first-hand on a four-hour flight from LA to Indianapolis four years ago. Rams just won NFC West before falling down Atlanta Falcon in the wild card round. With 23 years old Jared Goff After the Pro Bowl campaign, the sophomore coach wasn’t looking for a quarterback.
“It was a Southwest flight, we boarded the plane early and sat right next to each other,” McVay said. “It’s the only non-stop LAX flight to Indy. And you can see he’s a man. He loves football. He’s a great competitor. We just talked. I didn’t even get a chance to meet him.”
Mayfield also missed the conversation.
“That guy loves football,” Mayfield said of McVay. “He’s all about the ball. You could say he’s also a relationship person. And we’ve talked a lot about my coaches in the past, what makes them so special. and just trying to point out what makes certain players or coaches great.”
During the final quarter on Thursday night, Mayfield and McVay made each other look great. How they work together over the next month could determine whether this partnership continues into 2023.
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Eric D. Williams has covered the NFL for over a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
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