Rams’ Gerald Everett relishes opportunity to do the ‘Dirty Bird’ in Atlanta

ATLANTA —  It was a happier homecoming for Rams tight end Gerald Everett.

The Atlanta native caught a touchdown pass in the Rams’ 37-10 victory Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The result felt much better to Everett than the 13-3 Super Bowl defeat the Rams suffered against the New England Patriots in the same venue in February.

Everett’s eight-yard touchdown in the third quarter gave the Rams a 20-3 lead. To mark the occasion, he broke out the “Dirty Bird” end zone celebration that former Falcons running back Jamal Anderson popularized in the late 1990s.

“That was specific for just here,” said Everett, who caught four passes for 50 yards. “Just something I’ve always wanted to do in front of the home crowd.”

“I’m glad I got a chance to do it.”

So was quarterback Jared Goff.

Everett was targeted a team-high 10 times, seven times in the first half when the connection was off.

“I told him after the first two, I said, ‘Dude, I don’t care if we missed them but we’re going to keep throwing them. And just be ready.’” Goff said.

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Early in the third quarter, Goff found Everett for 33 yards on a play they had just missed on during the first half.

“To come back to it is a demonstration of the confidence they have in one another in getting it figured out and not letting previous setbacks affect your ability to move forward,” coach Sean McVay said.

Four plays later, Everett caught a five-yard pass. That set the stage for a third-down pass that Everett caught on the left side before running into the end zone for his second touchdown of the season.

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Rams linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. tackles Falcons running back Brian Hill during the fourth quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Cornerback Jalen Ramsey stands on the field before his first game with the Rams.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams tight end Gerald Everett makes a catch in front of Falcons safety Jamal Carter during the third quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald forces Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to fumble the ball on a fourth-quarter sack. Donald recovered the ball.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams quarterback Jared Goff scores a one-yard touchdown run in front of Falcons safety Ricardo Allen during the third quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey tangles with Falcons receiver Julio Jones during the first quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. sacks Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the first quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. celebrates after sacking Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald scuffles with Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who was ejected from the game, after a Rams interception in the third quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Referee Terry Killens has a few words for Falcons running back Devonta Freeman after the two fell to the ground during Freeman’s scuffle with Rams players. Freeman was ejected.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Falcons receiver Julio Jones makes a catch in front of Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams punter Johnny Hekker celebrates on the sideline after completing a pass on a fake punt against the Falcons.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan grimaces after suffering an ankle injury during the fourth quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams running back Todd Gurley catches a touchdown pass in front of Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley Jr., left, and safety Jamal Carter during the second quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan fumbles the ball as Rams linebackers Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (45) and Dante Fowler Jr. try to recover the ball during the second quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams wide receiver Robert Woods picks up yards against Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson, right, and safety Damontee Kazee during the fourth quarter.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

“You see the result of what happened when you stick with Jared,” Everett said. “He’s a great quarterback, and it’s just every receiver’s job to make the quarterback look good.

“That’s all I’m trying to do.”