Adams’ connection with Stafford got off to an inconsistent start this season, but that changed on Sunday. Adams graced the British fans with goal-line fades and one-handed grabs in his three-touchdown performance against the Jaguars, helping L.A. to a 35-7 win.
“Just the intentionality (increased this week),” Adams said. “I went into this week, I told you guys earlier in the week I wasn’t satisfied with the efficiency, specifically him targeting me… some of them have been me, some of them have been the throws, but just figuring it out, being on the right page, just working on a few things (helped).”
Sunday was Adams’ third three-touchdown game in the NFL, tying a career-high, and his first since Week 16 of the 2020 season. All three of them came on 50-50 balls inside the three-yard line, as the veteran receiver totaled 35 yards on five receptions and a team-leading eight targets.
With star wide receiver Puka Nacua sidelined with an injury, Adams took full advantage of his opportunity as Stafford’s primary target. Adams said he and Stafford texted and talked through some things to get their connection on track over the past few weeks, and it showed up on Sunday. It wasn’t immediate, as Adams’ first two targets fell incomplete, but that made the payoff even more sweet.
“So starting out, obviously, the first two, not getting them, we were like, ‘Okay, just keep being ourselves, not try to press,'” Adams said. “Because I think that’s where you can kind of fall into that hole sometimes where it’s not working and you try to do something that’s outside of your body or whatever. And similar to what (Steelers quarterback) Aaron (Rodgers) used to tell me, we don’t need any Herculean efforts. It’s just, go out and be yourself, that’s what we did today.”
After those two incompletions, and apart from the touchdowns, Adams and Stafford connected for three intermediate receptions (one of which got called back due to a penalty) and only one target fell incomplete.
“Just going about our business, continue to try to talk to each other, work with each other, and just develop as best we possibly can,” Stafford said of his continued growth with Adams. “And I thought today was a great example of that.”
In the second quarter, Stafford faked the handoff yet again, this time at the one, and tossed the ball toward the goal posts for Adams. He fought through underneath contact and reached out with one hand to pull in his second touchdown, giving L.A. a 21-0 lead. His contested catch prowess was on full display.
Adams said that grab came on a pass play that was set up by the previous run, as they married the run and pass game concepts pristinely throughout Sunday’s game.