“They’re well-coached, I think. There’s no weak spots on this defense, they’re really solid in all aspects. Corners are playing at a high level, safeties are talented players, their backers are as good as it gets, so, top to bottom talent-wise, they’re way up there.” – Stafford
Stafford is well-acquainted with the 49ers’ defense, having played them twice a year since 2021. He said San Francisco safety Talanoa Hufanga, who returned from injury recently, is a “really talented, smart, instinctual, fast, physical player,” and hasn’t lost a step after his wrist injury. He also said linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who is set to return from Injured Reserve on Thursday after tearing his Achilles in the Super Bowl last season, has “been a really good player for them for a long time,” and he will surely make his presence felt in his return.
Stafford has thrown zero interceptions over the past four games, and he said that efficiency is a product of “discipline, I’m sure there’s a little bit of luck involved (and) still trying to be aggressive.” He wants to give his players “opportunities to make plays,” while trying to put the ball in “safe” places where only his receivers can get it. Over the past four weeks, he’s achieved that, throwing 10 touchdowns compared to no interceptions.
“We have so much trust in (Stafford), it’s like, even when he has a turnover, a mistake, it’s like ‘all right, get to the next play and keep being Matt Stafford, keep being aggressive, keep attacking, just don’t be reckless,’ and he’s not.” – LaFleur
After setting his season-high in passing yards last week with 320 against a very good Bills defense, its easy to see why LaFleur has so much trust in Stafford. His command at the line of scrimmage and understanding of how defenses work gives a huge boost to this offense every week. So, even when things don’t go his way, “he can self-correct,” LaFleur said.
Stafford hasn’t been sacked in two weeks, a credit to this Rams offensive line. LaFleur said he has “a lot of expectations for that group,” because of the continuity they’ve been able to build, and they will have “another huge test” against the 49ers on a short week.
LaFleur said the San Francisco defense “starts with” linebacker Fred Warner and “when they show up… you know what you’re getting yourself into.” He added that the “standard” that San Francisco sets as a defense is more important than the scheme, and said “we got to…
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