'Ballsy!' Matthew Stafford Reacts to Los Angeles Rams Rookie Davis Allen's Big Day
Part of having a young roster is enduring the bumps and bruises of inexperienced units while fostering optimism from strong performances.
On Sunday, a work-in-progress Los Angeles Rams defense wasn’t able to contain Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Rams lost 37-31 in Week 14, but it wasn’t without strong performances from their young weapons.
Running back Kyren Williams added 115 more rushing yards to his season total, receiver Puka Nacua made multiple clutch catches, and rookie tight end Davis Allen had the best game of his young career.
Allen is forced out of bounds after making a catch against the Arizona Cardinals.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Allen had four catches on five targets in the loss. In the second quarter, that included a seven-yard touchdown grab—the first of his career.
On Los Angeles’ next drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford gave Allen a chance a few yards downfield on a third-and-15 dropback. Allen turned it into 18 yards and a fresh set of downs. The Rams would end that drive with a field goal to extend their lead to 20-14.
Stafford reacted to the rookie’s strong performance.
“I thought he did a great job. He obviously is a young guy in there, played a bunch of snaps,” Stafford said. “Happy for him on the touchdown, good job on the long third down. Sending it down the middle there was a ballsy play but it worked for him.”
It shouldn’t be ignored that his biggest game, both in terms of production and time on the field, came against Baltimore’s elite defense. Allen’s role increased when starter Tyler Higbee was ruled out, and he stepped up admirably. Making plays and remaining aggressive against such esteemed competition.
“Those are some tough matchups, both in the run game and in the pass game,” Stafford said. “I know those guys have first-round picks all over the place, so I thought he did a nice job.”
Head coach Sean McVay’s confidence in the rookie, along with the rapport he’s developed with Stafford, should mean good things for his future playing time. He won’t be taking the starting job from Higbee anytime soon, especially with a recent extension in play.
But as a prospective second tight end? Allen did enough on Sunday to make a case for that role moving forward.
Expect to see some more looks for the tight end in Week 15, when the Rams host the struggling Washington Commanders.
