The Los Angeles Rams got back on track with a 27-20 comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4 after Tutu Atwell’s game-winning 88-yard touchdown with just over a minute left to play.
Atwell took advantage of his defender falling down and then used his explosive speed to beat the safety to the end zone.
It was a satisfying moment for Atwell, who didn’t make much of an impact in the Rams’ first three games of the season despite the expectation that he would be a key part of the offense.
Matthew Stafford, who threw three touchdowns in the Rams’ win over the Colts, said after the game that he was very happy for Atwell, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“I’m so proud of him, so happy for him,” Stafford said postgame. “He’s been practicing really well. We’ve dialed it up for him a couple times, and just hasn’t been the look a few times. And like Sean said, I’ll reiterate it, he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and just so happy for him, proud of him, that’s the guy he is. He just comes to work every day, no matter what’s going on around him, ready to work and practice and play, and made the biggest play at the biggest moment today.”
Atwell only had two targets against the Colts and finished with the one catch. He certainly made the most of his opportunities and helped the Rams improve to 3-1 on the season.
Sean McVay explains Tutu Atwell’s lack of involvement in Rams offense
Through the first three weeks, Tutu Atwell only had one catch for four yards on three targets. Rams head coach Sean McVay explained the reasons for his lack of involvement in the offense thus far.
“He’s doing what he can control,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said earlier this season. “I think in a lot of instances, our job is to try to be able to win the game. There are a couple chances and some things that you try to call to get guys involved. Ultimately, our job is to play the game how it unfolds.
“I’ve been really impressed with just the way that he’s handled himself. Our job is to move the ball and score points. We moved the ball pretty well I thought offensively yesterday. There were a couple chances that we didn’t. Tutu did what he could control within the framework of what was asked of him yesterday.
“I love Tutu. I think a lot of stuff is made of just trying to maximize guys and there’s only one football. I appreciate the heck out of the way that he’s approached it. I have been pleased with some of the different things that we were able to do yesterday offensively and we’ll keep growing from it and I want to try to be able to figure out a way to get him involved.
“It still is about moving the ball, scoring points and those are the things that I’m the most interested in while still taking advantage of guy’s skill sets. I really have been appreciative of how he’s handled it.”
