Stafford throws 4 TDs, D forces 4 TOs, Rams rout Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. (AP) — Sean McVay wasn’t happy walking into the postgame news conference after his Los Angeles Rams had their way with the banged-up and struggling New York Giants.

Despite getting another big game from quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp, and four takeaways from his defense, McVay didn’t enjoy the opening quarter of the Rams’ 38-11 win on Sunday.

The problem was, McVay’s team had a slow start. It’s not the first time this season, but when you’re 5-1, coaches expect a lot.

“I think we can be a lot sharper offensively,” McVay said of being shut out in the first quarter. “We’ve got to start faster. There’s no excuse. We got to be better than that. We’ll take the win and I thought our guys did a nice job today.”

The Rams were very good in the second and third quarters in taking a 38-3 lead over the Giants (1-5), who were missing many of their key players on offense.

“I’m proud of the way we just stuck to it,” said Stafford, who threw two of his four touchdown passes to Kupp. “Our defense did a great job in the second quarter giving us some short fields and we were able to score points.”

Stafford connected with Kupp on scoring passes of 3 and 13 yards. He also found Robert Woods for a 15-yard score and running back Darrell Henderson on a 25-yarder in a 28-point second quarter.

Stafford, who has 16 TD passes in six games, finished 22 of 28 for 251 yards in three-plus quarters.

Kupp, who was tied for second in the league with 37 catches entering the game, added nine more receptions for 130 yards. Safety Taylor Rapp had two interceptions to account for half of Los Angeles’ takeaways.

Henderson also scored on a 2- yard TD run in the big second quarter and Matt Gay kicked a 32-yard field goal as the Rams beat the Giants for the third time in five seasons.

Trailing 28- 3 at the half, the Giants were challenged by coach Joe Judge to play 60 minutes.