Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff continues to look impressive every week, especially coming off a solid victory over the San Francisco 49ers last Thursday. Goff is responsible for the team being the highest scoring offense in the NFL in three games.
Los Angeles averages 35.7 points per game so far this season.
The Rams have been tested weekly, however head coach Sean McVay has not only made the environment better for Goff but has simplified the offense, which has paid dividends.
This will be Goff's first experience playing at AT&T Cowboys Stadium, known as Jerry's World, on Sunday. It's a big stage to play on and he'll have to drown out being in that atmosphere to focus on a victory.
"It's my first time playing there and I'm excited," Goff said. "I've heard all about it. I heard it's awesome, heard the fans are great and we're excited to get out there. Will be a good challenge for us, but a fun one and one we're going to be ready for."
Last season he started seven games, lost all seven and threw five interceptions under former head coach Jeff Fisher. This season under McVay, Goff has a renewed confidence and playing with control and poise in order for him to make his throws to the right target, keeping drives alive. A major reason for Goff's success this season has been the offensive line.
"They (offensive line) haven't gotten any credit and it's been mainly them. With (RB) Todd (Gurley's) production, I know Todd would say the same thing he's been running well but he ain't running anywhere without any holes," Goff explained. "He's not catching the ball out of the back field and (WR) Robert (Woods) and (WR) Sammy (Watkins) and (WR) Cooper (Kupp) and (WR) Tavon (Austin) and all the guys we got aren't catching the ball - if we don't have time. So, yeah, they've done a tremendous job so far."
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The most interesting angle of this game is the dynamic friendship between Goff and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Both have shown a mutual respect toward each other, despite where both were drafted and their results from season one until now.
"You get picked No. 1 for a reason and he's had a lot of success early this year, so he's good," said Prescott of Goff. "He's slinging the ball and he's got some great weapons and he's doing a great job."
Prescott who was drafted 135th, has taken the Cowboys to higher heights, while Goff continues to desire taking the Rams in the same direction. The two quarterbacks met at the Manning Camp a couple of years ago.
"I know Dak, he's tremendous," Goff said. "I don't care what you say about who he's got around him, he's done a tremendous job. Hell of a player, hell of a person, leads those guys. He's done a great job and a guy that, being in my own class, you see him and you're like, you tip your hat to him."
The maturation of Goff is happening on a weekly basis, and some who labeled him a potential bust are dialing back and eating their words now. It also helps that GM Les Snead made sure to surround him with quality weapons on offense, which is something he didn't have last season. The team offensively seems more organized than before under McVay.
"We're very grounded and understand we need to get better, but we believe in each other," Goff said. "I think that's the biggest part of it. I believe in Sammy, Sammy believes in me and vice versa with every receiver on the team and the O-line, and I think that's the most important thing. I think you can build that confidence through, like I said, success on the practice field and success when communicating and stuff like that."
If Goff can pull out a victory on Sunday against the Cowboys, he'll be a star quicker than many anticipated. With that win, it could set the tone for the rest of the Rams' season that may surprise many critics and fans alike.
