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Matthew Stafford gives high praise to little-used rookie after instant classic matchup with Ravens

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Kayanja | Last updated 12/11/23

Matthew Stafford did all he could in a critical Week 14 matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens.

His efforts, however, fell in vain. The Rams lost 37-31 in a heartbreaker. But Stafford didn't let the loss determine his approval of his teammate's efforts. And one player he praised by name was Davis Allen, the rookie tight end who showed his strengths against the championship-contending Ravens.

“I thought he did a great job,” Stafford said. “Obviously, he’s a young guy in there. Played a bunch of snaps. Happy for him on the touchdown. Great job on the long third down, just sending it down the middle there. It was a ballsy play, but it worked for him."

How the Rams used Allen against the Ravens

A neck injury pushed tight end Tyler Higbee to the inactive list. Then, things got worse. Hunter Long – who started in place of Higbee – exited the game in the first half with a knee injury and did not return. So the often-forgotten and little-used Allen stepped in to fill some pretty big shoes.

And he did so quite well.

Allen caught four passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. His one score came in the first half, giving the Rams a needed 17-14 lead.

Another big catch came on third-and-15 when Stafford turned to Allen for a checkdown throw. After catching the ball, Allen turned upfield and made lemonade out of lemons.

The play set up a Rams field goal.

Davis Allen goes airborne to pick up the first!

@NFLonFOX | ️ https://t.co/0NZzTbNGnn pic.twitter.com/mL0YKoRWnU
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 10, 2023

Allen also came up big on the game-tying drive that set up overtime. Allen caught a pass that went for 21 yards. The play put the Rams past midfield, leading to another field goal.

It may have been Allen's first game with extended snaps, but the rookie clearly made a great impression on Stafford, who had nothing but good things to say about the effort he gave.

"I thought he did a nice job," Stafford said. "Those are some tough matchups both in the run game and the pass game. Those guys have first-round picks all over the place so I thought he did a nice job."

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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