Rams - 34, Panthers - 31
Q. Turner and (indiscernible) both saying 2:44 left on the clock, there was never a doubt in their mind. Could you talk about the process in your mind in that last couple of minutes?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: I knew we had four downs, obviously. That's a situation I've been in a bunch of times in my life. And I was going to go out there and execute and give our guys chances to make plays. They made some great ones.
I'm glad our guys felt that way. Try to continue to prove that you can go out there and do those things and come away with wins for your team. So, just happy to do my part there at the end and make sure we scored some points.
Q. How were you feeling in a moment with that?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: Pretty calm. Pretty steady. Just felt like I was seeing the coverages really well. The guys up front did a hell of a job keeping me clean on that last drive, too, giving me time to click through progressions.
And I feel like, like I said, I've been in that spot a lot in my life. It brings a smile to my face because I like to be there. Would love to be up 14 and taking a knee on it with four minutes left. But, shoot, a win is a win.
Q. I know it's a playoff game, but is there any extra satisfaction winning like that after the way the Eagles game ended last year?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: It was not a thought in my mind at all. No, I had plenty of opportunities, like I said, both in playoffs and non-playoffs, to go out there and try to help our team win.
I just want to go back to work with these guys. In the NFL, your team changes every single week -- I'm sorry, every single year -- and I'm not ready for that one to end yet. So, I just love going to work with this group and just trying to do everything I can to make sure that we keep getting that opportunity.
Q. What's it like seeing Puka have the impact he had today? And also just Colby on that touchdown?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: Puka did today what he's done all year for us. He's been unbelievable. Handed it to him a couple times. He made some big plays in the pass game as well. Great blocking.
I thought Te was really good. Missed him on a couple of ops. I had one shot down the field and missed him. Couple things here or there. I thought his presence really was big for us as well, especially on that last drive just finding some catches for us.
I thought our skill group played really well. Tight ends played great. And Colby made a big-time catch. That was pretty tight coverage. Thought I put the ball in a good spot. And he made a great play.
He was so confident he caught it. I was, like, I don't know, is he in? Did he catch it? It was right on that damn pylon. I don't know.
But he was hyped up like he knew he caught it for a touchdown, so I was kind of holding my celebration for a little bit. But happy that he came down with it.
Q. (Indiscernible) soft they played on that last series defensively?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: No, I felt they were giving us space throughout the game. And for one reason or another we didn't hit all of them. Had some opportunities and missed a few.
But no, I think our tempo was great. I thought we were keeping the ball in play and just trying to distribute the field. Never surprised by anything in this league, to be honest with you.
Q. You've had a lot of comeback drives in your career, obviously. The numbers are there. How much do you enjoy those moments, and how do you avoid it being stressful moments. You're obviously very calm in those moments.
MATTHEW STAFFORD: I think just experience. Belief in myself and belief in my teammates, really. I trust all those guys to go out there make plays. I try to put it in a good spot for those guys. I've been in that spot a lot in my life. I said that earlier. But I love that spot. I'd rather be me having to go out there with our offense and go out there and do it than watching.
So it's a fun thing to be a part of. You can make it stressful or you can make it calm and collected. I feel like that's what we were today. I thought our guys outside and up front did a hell of a job on that last drive, and I just tried to put it in good spots.
Q. What happened to your hand, and did that affect your ability --
MATTHEW STAFFORD: Yeah, I got a finger bent back. They saw it on the TV on the sideline or whatever. I didn't obviously know exactly what had happened. It wasn't pleasant. It wasn't great. We'll see what it is. I was obviously able to finish the game and throw it decent.
Once the ball's snapped, the adrenaline is pretty good. So we'll hopefully just keep it going.
Q. A couple of comebacks. What is it for you about doing this in the playoffs that you said you enjoy and you're not nervous?
MATTHEW STAFFORD: That's what you work for, right? You do all these hours in your life of being a kid in the backyard, throwing the ball around saying, okay, this is the situation, we've got to make it happen. And then get to do it throughout my football career.
And an opportunity like tonight -- I walked behind Te on the way out, and was, like, before that flash drive, I forget what I said to him, but I was like, let's go snatch these guys. Let's snatch this one back. Let's go.
And he was an integral part to that drive. Pook was, Colby, our backs, everybody. I just love those situations. I live to do it. It's great to do it on the road, too, quiet a nice crowd today. So, we'll take it.
Q. (Question about the near interception that Nacua knocked away.)
MATTHEW STAFFORD: Hell of a play. I thought he was going to go up there and kind of post up. I was like, all right, let's see what you got. I threw it. Right as I cut it loose, he kind of turned away. It was just tough timing. But what a play to go fight through it and get that thing knocked out. Huge play for us.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports