Matthew Stafford throws 3 TDs in Rams debut as L.A. defeats Bears

[September 13, 2021]  Matthew Stafford completed 20 of 26 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns in his team debut to lead the host Los Angeles Rams to a 34-14 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Van Jefferson, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods each hauled in touchdown passes for Los Angeles (1-0). Darrell Henderson Jr. added 70 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

David Montgomery had 16 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown to lead the offensive attack for Chicago (0-1). Andy Dalton completed 27 of 38 passes for 206 yards and an interception, and rookie Justin Fields completed both of his pass attempts and rushed for a 3-yard touchdown in limited action during his NFL debut.

The Rams wasted no time in showing Stafford's value to the offense. He connected with Jefferson for a 67-yard score with 10:36 remaining in the first quarter.

Los Angeles increased its lead to 10-0 on a 53-yard field goal by Matt Gay with 4:39 to go in the first quarter.

Gay connected again, this time from 22 yards, to make it 13-0 with 11:39 left in the second quarter.

Chicago cut the deficit to 13-7 with 34 seconds to go in the half. Montgomery bounced off a pair of would-be tacklers and stretched the ball across the goal line for a 3-yard rushing score.

The Rams made it 20-7 early in the second half on another deep ball from Stafford. He fired a 56-yard touchdown pass to Kupp, who capitalized on busted coverage in the Bears' secondary for an easy catch before jogging into the end zone.

Chicago pulled within 20-14 on Fields' first career touchdown with 4:14 remaining in the third quarter. He kept the ball and sprinted right for a 3-yard touchdown to cap a 16-play, 81-yard drive.

The Rams responded on the next possession. After Kupp caught a pass to give Los Angeles first-and-goal, Henderson punched in a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 27-14 with 1:19 left in the third quarter.

Woods made a leaping catch in the back of the end zone to increase the Rams' lead to 34-14 with 3:17 to go in the game.

--Field Level Media

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