HEAD COACH KEVIN O'CONNELL
I knew it was going to be a tough, hard-fought game especially against their defensive side. I was proud of the way we kind of responded whenever it seemed like they did make a play against our defense. Obviously, the big one over the top when they were backed up, that possession really could have swung the whole game right there. But I was just proud of the way we played relatively clean. I know we had the early turnover which was frustrating because those types of things can't happen. But I thought Sam Darnold played well. I thought to close it out with another turnover to break even in that department was really important. And then the turnover on downs, making it hard there in the second half. I thought we had some other opportunities, maybe to put the game away, try to stay aggressive and one down there too Speedy (Jalen Nailor), but he'll make that play. I have total confidence and trust in him. And now we've got to continue to build on another road challenge next week against a good Bears team that's going to be a tough place to go play.
What impressed you most about Sam Darnold today?
Yeah, a lot of the things we really talked about, as starting points for his play, I thought his feet and eyes were really good. I thought, as he's done most of the season, his ability to kind of extend some plays, that's a good front, really good interior front, that there's going to be some push. There's going to be sometimes where you need to move with two hands on the ball. Some of those play extending plays to keep drives alive and then give up some earned first down ops to then activate some of the play passes like J's and like I said to Speedy's op later on in the game. I thought Justin (Jefferson) ran some great routes today as well. Winning against, a lot of the similar program we saw last week. But just continuing to be the best I've ever been around but continues to improve regardless of how he's being defended. So, across the board, I thought Sam was a really driving force behind us offensively pass game and wanted to commit against a really tough group up front to run the ball against, wanted to commit to it and try to possess the football. I'm not sure, did we end up winning, we did win the time of possession, I believe. I don't have it right in front of me. But I just felt like it was a game that we maybe could have just compressed a little more success in there and a couple of chunks in the game on either side of the ball and maybe put it away a little earlier. But it's a talented team, tough physical team. So proud we've been able to go on the road and win two in a row. Now we got to do it again.
With all the talk about the turnovers last couple weeks. Sam comes out and has the touchdown drive and then after that he had the big one, what's that say about him in those moments where he responds?
I think it speaks to kind of where he's at right now. Just really proud of the way he played. I mean, how we played in those moments was a huge indicator of a guy that had put the work in, and was confident, and just going out there and do his job and a lot of plays. And then also overcome some things around him to make some plays, which was critical for us, especially in those moments where, we were able to kind of once we got the two-score lead or the double digit lead at least, we were able to kind of continue to extend it back out when they maybe got a little closer. So I think any time you're on the road, it's hard to win on the road, but I do want to say, I thought the turnout of our fans was unbelievable. One of the best parts about this job is seeing all the purple when we're on the road like that. It's an awesome feeling knowing we have the best fan base in the National Football League.
How do you reflect on the last three weeks just finding wins any way you can?
Yeah. I mean look, I know that it would probably be really fun for us to just steamroll the NFL every single week. It's just not the way it's going to go, which also, in my opinion, provides a lot of opportunity to grow and get better and understand exactly what happened on some of the plays that they made, either offense, defense or special teams and coach, and improve, and just constantly chase that progression knowing that we're a good football team. Through 10 games, we've won eight of them. We've got the right mindset. But I do believe, hopefully our best football is ahead of us because we're working towards that while also winning games. So proud of that, proud of our group, proud of our staff. But it's time to go back to work.
With a ten-point winning margin like today. How much of a factor were their 13 penalties that they took versus your three?
I'd have to—obviously penalties are a critical stat. I know there were some impactful ones to either extend drives or take away some explosives for them. But yeah, one of those things is it would be naive for me to sit up here and say, although maybe those went heavily in our favor today, I've had some dialog about some other plays over the last few weeks as well, albeit more than likely surrounding our quarterback and things like that. So I've learned whatever I say really does not matter. They're trying to do the best they can. The game is happening fast out there. Replay assist is stepping in when they can to help correct somethings that happen fast. But they got a tough job. And fortunately, some of those plays were big. But I do know that we still did execute and still did get off the field there on some fourth downs and take the ball away at the end and did have that response to go score.
What led to the decision to move to Dalton Risner?
I wanted to take a look with Dalton (Risner) being healthy now, seeing if we could get a little bit more just of a veteran presence there. Consistent. It was a tough challenge to have Dalton's first start on the right side be against those (Jeffery) Simmons and (T'Vondre) Sweat, that's two of the best interior guys playing right now in this league. And they are a huge part of how they're able to play all that shell coverage and really eat up combinations and all those things. We'll look at the tape and see how Dalton did. I just felt his playstyle. I felt him totally into the game. And at the same time, I was proud of the way Ed (Ingram) handled the week as well. He was knowing he'd be one snap away; he was asking great questions and he was prepared and ready to roll. So, we'll continue to try to find that best five and it's definitely not going to be a week-to-week thing. But we are going to allow some competition to play out while the season is still seven games left and the ability to try to hunt that best five and get the most out of all those guys.
How was Jordan's (Addison) leg? Was holding him out just precautionary?
No, he was cramping. He cramped. And we tried to do all the different tactics you do when that happens. But he just wasn't able to get there to get back in the game, which would have been great to see him come back and get a couple of those ops that eventually might have helped us put the game away. But like I said, I got all the confidence in the world in Speedy to step in and make those plays when they come to him, just like he has all season long. So yeah. So (Jordan) Addison obviously cramps. Josh Oliver got an ankle. He'll just need to be evaluated. We'll see what that looks like here as we're able to get back to Minnesota and take another look at where he's at. But other than that, I think we came out pretty clean.
Production for Pat Jones kind of matched earlier in the season after a couple of games where he didn't have quite that many sacks...
Pat Jones? Yeah, he's so consistent. Rightly so. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel get a ton of credit, as they should. They're playing outstanding football. JG (Jonathan Greenard) is playing as well as anybody in the league, in my opinion. Gink showing up again, now he's got a career high. Pat Jones has got a career high in sacks. I think it just shows the versatility of that group. Dallas Turner had some really nice rushes as well and just kind of athletic plays out there. That group as a whole is really a strength. Pair that with our safeties and our inside backers and we're really rolling our veteran corner play and we're getting a lot of good impactful snaps out of our interior D-line. That's a team that wants to run the ball. You got to get them into those, weightier third downs, longer distances and then try to get some pressure and get off the field or force a turnover.
Does Sam Darnold enjoy those dagger cuts?
It was kind of an odd defensive structure with (Jeffrey) Simmons dropping and bringing kind of double-edge pressure there. That growth of our offense, that was something where maybe a year ago we wouldn't have been able to get a touch out there. But Josh Oliver's awareness to see it and then the line pushing out on the other side, clean pocket against a look like that with a concept like we had on, we expected a little bit of pressure expected some edge pressure. But the execution there and then and then once I saw the space in there, the only question was whether he was going to score or not. And he did.
You said you guys are a good team. How good do you think you can be?
The same way I'm old enough to remember when nobody thought we were very good. So, the same way that I answered that question, I'll answer it now. We just got to continue to get better and prove it. 8-2 means absolutely nothing. Got a divisional test on the road next week against a really tough Chicago team that we better put together really good week of prep and that's what the NFC North is. That's what it is, and that's what we know is out in front of us. And honestly, Kevin, I do think it's just about not really looking too far ahead, but just we're team that needs to improve and know that we're a good team. We have confidence in that. But that's been the name of the game all season long. It's just chasing constant improvement, understanding where we can improve based upon performances like today, where we do get the win. And keep stacking chances to win football games and then finding ways to do it.
How do you manage to go 5-0 for a second season against AFC teams?
I think it's a division with some really good defenses when you're think about these guys and obviously Jacksonville's got a lot of really talented players. Houston is proven with what DeMeco (Ryans) was doing there. And then I think Indy with, I'll tell you this much, this division isn't lacking for interior D-line or edge players, for that matter. So, I'm happy to come in and get the win, but it's just on to the next. And we got to keep improving because like I said, it's going to be a tough outfit to play against in Chicago next week
How was it for Harrison Smith in a home state game?
I was just walking in the tunnel after the game, and I heard some chants going on and I was wondering maybe this is it for me, maybe I've finally arrived. And then I realized Harrison (Smith) was walking right next to me and they were saying 'Harry'. So, I started chanting too because I love him, such an impactful player for this organization. How many times has he made a play like that, in a moment like that, where his team needs him and he's there to make the play? One of my all-time favorites, it's not close. I absolutely love Harrison Smith.
When you see him get so close earlier in the game do you feel he will get another shot?
It's rush and coverage working together. Whether we're sending pressures and tried to stay aggressive and get home a few times and they made some plays too. I credit Will (Levis) on that backed up 98-yarder. Able to see kind of a Palms-y, quarters feel out there and threw a dime down the sideline, they made the play. It was perfect op for everybody on our team to kind of say, 'Oh no,' but we get the response offensively. Defense gets some fourth down stops and then the turnover. So, I'm proud of the guys for that and Harry obviously being a big part of it.
