What did the 80-yard touchdown do for the team?
"Yeah, I think that was that was huge, early in the second half right there to come out and have that play. I think it was our first play in the second half. Yeah, huge, huge play. Incredible run by him to stay in bounds – given that, blocked really well up front too. Those guys did a great job. Yeah, huge play in the game."
Why are you and Shane Steichen working so well?
"I mean, 80-yard runs help for sure. The way JT (Jonathan Taylor) is playing, the way the guys up front are playing, the receivers made some really big plays today. Yeah, I think as far as it goes with Shane (Steichen), just the communication has been really good. I've talked about that before, but just throughout the week, and understanding how he wants to see the game played, how he sees it unfolding, gives me a good idea of how to handle certain situations and make decisions based on kind of how he sees it. So, I think communication is a big deal, and I think he trusts us to make plays in a lot of situations."
You've been in offenses for years now, and you've been around this league for a while. What stands out to you about the way Jonathan Taylor plays running back?
"Yeah, I don't know. He's really, really good. He seems like he makes play after play, long run after long run – explosive. He didn't have as many plays, and I guess the sweep was technically in the pass game, but he didn't have as many plays today as he's had throughout the season, but he's been really big in those situations throughout the season. So yeah, just a dynamic football player. Hand him the ball, throw him the ball – just when the ball is in his hands, he makes something happen for us."
Do you think you stole one from him there on the toss?
"I didn't call the play. I didn't call the play (laughing)."
You've been in run-heavy offenses. How much do you think it helps that you guys are throwing the ball and it's a balanced offense?
"I think it's a big deal, yeah. I think they both kind of play off each other, you know? When you're able to make plays in both the run game and the pass game, defenses can't key on one. Yeah, I think it's a huge deal to be able to do both, and we've got to continue to work and progress both of them along the way because defenses will study us and see what we're doing. We're lucky. We've got really, really good coaches who have prepared us, (and) have really good game plans week in and week out."
Does it feel like defenses are approaching you all in any specific way this season?
"I don't know. I wouldn't say so. I mean, there's some things I think that show up. If you don't handle something as well – just kind of the way this league works, the next team will try to see if you can handle it. I think we've done a really good job with a lot of that stuff. I think credit to our coaches and how well they have us prepared. Game plans week in and week out put us in a really good position to make plays."
As you studied this offense in the offseason when deciding to come here, what do you think this specific group is doing better or executing better this year than they did a year ago?
"I don't know. That's tough to say. Obviously, I watched the games and studied the offense as I was trying to learn it this spring, but I wasn't here. I think (it's) tough to draw comparisons. I think just looking at what we're doing this year, it's about making plays in the run game, in the pass game, being efficient when we can and executing – executing in the red zone is a big deal. I don't know what our third down – I don't know if we were as good today, but all those key situations."
How do you explain how you guys have been able to avoid turnovers to the extent that you are? You've only had a couple games with turnovers.
"Yeah, I think that's something that we harp on. Our coaches are always harping on protecting the ball and when you're carrying it, making sure (you're) protecting it and then making decisions that keep the ball safe. I think that's another spot where you've got to give a lot of credit to the offensive line. A lot of turnovers happen in dirty pockets or happening in situations where you have free runners or whatever they are. Our offensive line, that doesn't happen much with those guys. So, big credit to them."
Did you hear the MVP chants for Jonathan Taylor today?
"I did, yeah. I think those were spot on."
You guys have pretty routinely hit chunk plays on these third and way too longs. You keep converting them at a pretty high clip. From your vantage point as the quarterback, what are you seeing? How much does that raise the confidence level for the rest of the guys to go put points on the board after that?
"Yeah, I think it does a ton. I mean, anytime you have an explosive play or a chunk play in the drive on any down, it increases your chances to score by a lot. But yeah, third down or – those situations are huge. I think Shane (Steichen) trusts us to make those plays. We've got receivers who go up – Alec's (Pierce) catch today was incredible. Yeah, we've had a number of those where guys have made really, really tough catches. Counting on the protection being good, they know you're going to throw it and drop back, and protection has been really good. So yeah, I think that helps us for sure."
Shane Steichen was talking about how important winning in November and December is compared to September and October, but having a 7-1 start for these first two months, how big is that going into November?
"Yeah, definitely helps to have the start we've had. I think we know we have to continue to grow and develop as a team. Everyone in this league – and the good teams continue to improve. So, we know as we get through November and December, we'll need to continue to do that and play good football down the stretch because yeah, that's what's most important, is those games in November and then obviously into December."
