The Los Angeles Rams made their trip to Wembley Stadium look easy. In a 35–7 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Matthew Stafford threw five touchdown passes — three to Davante Adams — as the Rams delivered one of their most complete performances of the season. Even more impressive? They did it without standout receiver Puka Nacua.
The Rams’ long travel week didn’t seem to slow them down. Stafford was sharp, the defense suffocating, and head coach Sean McVay once again found a way to elevate those around him. “I think it’s such a good reminder for us that we’ve got a lot of players that we have a ton of trust in as coaches,” McVay said after the win. “Obviously, Matthew, to be able to spread the ball around and let the ball go where the coverage dictates. I think the best offenses that I’ve been a part of, everybody’s involved.”
Ten different Rams caught a pass — the most in any game of the McVay era — as Los Angeles leaned into a heavy mix of tight-end sets and quick reads.
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Stafford Leads an Offense Without Its Sensation
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With Nacua sidelined by an ankle injury, Stafford found ways to keep the passing game humming. He went 21-of-33 for 182 yards and five touchdowns, setting an international game record for touchdown passes. Four of those scores came in the red zone, where the Rams had struggled earlier this year.
“Matthew was outstanding,” McVay said. “He orchestrated great drives, took care of the football, and was in total command.” Stafford’s calm against pressure stood out — Next Gen Stats recorded that he faced a season-high 55.9% blitz rate and threw all five touchdowns against the blitz.
Even Stafford joined in on the lighthearted postgame humor. When told he set an international record, he laughed, “Do I get a sword or something?”
McVay’s Realization
Still, McVay acknowledged the hard truth: playing without Nacua changes everything. “You never want to be without a player like Puka,” he said, “but it forces you to see the depth of the group.”
Colby Parkinson led the team with 47 receiving yards, while Adams and Terrance Ferguson combined for 66. Six different players finished with at least 11 yards.
The Rams improved to 5–2, tied atop the NFC West — and in McVay’s words, found proof that their offense can thrive even when its brightest young star isn’t on the field.
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