Los Angeles - 34, Arizona - 11
SEAN MCVAY: Okay, guys. First of all, what a great job by our team. I thought our guys were ready to go. Defense was outstanding from the jump. Von made his presence felt right away making a couple sacks.
I thought David long's touchdown to be able to put us up 21-nothing was how huge for us. Special teams was great. I thought we were able to sustain possession, being able to get Sony and Cam going in the run game. I thought Odell made his plays early. Matthew made great decisions.
That was exactly what we wanted to be able to do. Congratulations to -- a lot of respect to the Cardinals. They had a good year. But, you know, our guys were ready to go. And now we got to get ready for the Bucs on a short week. We're very pleased with it but now it's time to move on.
Q. (No microphone.)
SEAN MCVAY: You know what, I don't have those yet right now. Sorry, Jordan.
Q. How were you guys able to sort of stay settled on offense in the complementary layer getting that run game going?
SEAN MCVAY: Yeah, I think it was the early down efficiency. I thought our guys got great removal upfront. I thought our backs saw the lanes the right way.
I thought Matthew when we did throw the football made great decisions, threw the ball accurately. Got a lot of different guys involved. And that's exactly what we want to be able to do and that's where we can be tough to defend.
Q. (Question concerning Odell Beckham Jr.'s pass.)
SEAN MCVAY: Well, he threw a couple touchdown passes off -- you know what, he threw a touchdown pass off that same play a couple years ago when he was in New York. So he's a very talented guy. We got a couple guys that can throw.
Q. (No microphone.)
SEAN MCVAY: I think so, Gary. I mean, they played really well overall, I think. But, you know, what they did in the first half, I think they held them to 40 yards. I think it was one of the best performances in playoff history in the fist -- you know, being able to hold a really explosive offense like that, to be able to get a defensive touchdown, a couple turnovers. Just so pleased with those guys and got a great challenge going against Tom Brady next week.
Q. What have you seen from Cam? It seemed like he's never lost a step.
SEAN MCVAY: It's unbelievable. And, really, I don't think the stats tell the story for how good he looked, leveling some runs off. He got a couple big time runs called back.
Also, thoughts and prayers are with Budda Baker. I got tremendous respect for him. I'm hopeful that we'll get some news that he's going to be okay.
But I thought cam was outstanding, Nick. He did a great job. And he's only getting more and more confident.
And you know what I love the most about him is what a confident, secure individual he is. A play I think he would want back earlier in the game and then he makes a great catch off the double pass in kind of that same spot. That thing hung up like a Russell Wilson moon ball. So it was great plays by those guys.
Q. What were you guys able to do defensively in the first half that you weren't able to do the first two times?
SEAN MCVAY: Well, I think we were able to do some similar things the second time we played them like that. But any time you're able to apply pressure, kind of eliminate and knock out the run game, get them into some of those known passing situations, I thought we came out with just a great look in our eye.
I thought the coaches put together a good game plan. But, ultimately, the players executed. And there was a lot of guys that contributed and the defense was phenomenal.
Q. (No microphone.)
SEAN MCVAY: You know what, you'll have to ask him that. But that was awesome. You know, to be able to get that many guys involved in making those kind of plays, that's what you love.
Q. It feels like you were more successful with a zone defense. You won by a convincing score. So did it make a difference whether you were zone or man?
SEAN MCVAY: Yeah, I thought our guys did a good job; quality of play and a complete game. And that's what we wanted to be able to do coming in here.
I loved the way we responded from a tough one last week. Our guys are really mentally tough and now we got to be able to stack another block next week against the Bucs.
Q. (Question concerning Matthew Stafford getting his first career playoff win.)
SEAN MCVAY: Yeah, I thought he did a great job leading the way. You know, he's still the same great player to me, and he always was before this game, as well. And so, I think it's good so you guys don't have to talk about that anymore so he can get that one out of the way.
But really proud of him. Pleased -- just so lucky to be able to do this with him. He's our leader. We wouldn't be here without him.
Q. He played under such control today. Was that the game plan, the way the game was going?
SEAN MCVAY: I thought it was a combination of everything. I thought he did a great job, No. 1, Kevin. We were able to stay in those manageable situations.
I thought it was a really good, complementary football game we played as a team. So many guys got involved and we were able to kind of control the possession.
Defensively was smothering them all day and kind of enabled us to be able to operate like that. And Matthew did a great job with the opportunities he had throwing the ball. And he really managed the run game, as well.
Q. What kind of challenge is that going to be to go to Tampa Bay to play the defending Super Bowl champions with Tom Brady?
SEAN MCVAY: You just said it. It's a great challenge because they're a complete team. They looked outstanding against Philly the other day.
We know what a great football team this is. They're a complete team. And they do an excellent job in all three phases. And certainly we've got our work cut out.
A lot has changed since Week 4. So we got a lot of work to do in a short amount of time to get up to speed and put together a good plan to try and put our players in the best spots on Sunday at 3:00 o'clock or whenever the game is.
Q. (No microphone.) There's a lot of chaos happening around you. You guys lose both your dynamic safeties. And, you know, organize this plan at the beginning of the week. How did that come together and what does it say about them?
SEAN MCVAY: Yeah, I mean, first of all, what a credit to Eric Weddle and even Blake Countess being able to go and be available, as well.
But Eric is such a special player. I think it's a credit to creative thought process from our defensive coaches, Coach Evero, Coach Morris, being able to say, Hey, this is a guy that if there's anyone capable of doing what he did -- you still smelling that sewage, Artis? Yeah, you are, man. Okay, that's some bad stuff right there. Okay. I mean, I'm like as far away as I can get from it.
Anyways, it was unbelievable what Eric Weddle was able to do. And come in and contribute. And he's one of those guys that elevates. We talk about igniters all the time, you make everybody around you better. That's what Eric Weddle is and he's only going to build on this for next week.
Q. (No microphone.)
SEAN MCVAY: Yeah, he's -- it's really the people. I think we got the right people. Hopefully we'll get Taylor Rapp back. Obviously, it's a big loss losing Jordan Fuller.
I thought Troy Reeder did an excellent job being able to come down today with great communication. And so, Eric's a special guy. I'm not in the least bit surprised but certainly grateful that he was available and willing to do what he's doing.
Q. (Question concerning playing on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.)
SEAN MCVAY: Yeah, I think it's special to be able to be the first team to be able to play on this special day with such a special man that had such an impact on the way that we operate moving forward.
You know, it's amazing to be able to kind of have a tribute to him. And I thought our guys did a great job, you know, recognizing him with the way they played today and, really, as a connected team. That's the most important thing.
I think one of the things great leaders do like Dr. King, they make all the situations they're a part of and they bring people together, and that's what I think our team demonstrated today.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports