Matthew Stafford is facing the most important game for him as a Los Angeles Rams player.
LOS ANGELES — In Monday Night’s postseason opener, the Los Angeles Rams will look for their first win of the current playoffs when they host their division rival Arizona Cardinals. Matt Stafford, who joined as the new franchise quarterback this season, does not end up convincing Los Angeles fans and that is that the background in this instance does not favor him. In three previous playoff appearances, Stafford has never won (0-3).
“Every time I go out on the field I have to prove my worth, whether it’s preseason, practice, regular season, playoffs, I always want to go out there and play well. This is another chance to do it. It is a team game, but there is no doubt that when the quarterback plays well, there is a better chance of winning the game and I want that, ”Stafford said in a virtual press conference before the game.
Matt and the interceptions
Looking at the regular season numbers for Matthew Stafford With 404 of 601 completions for 4,886 total yards and 41 touchdowns, they look pretty solid. Coming to the interceptions category, though, Stafford turned the ball over 17 times this way, tied with Jacksonville Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence for the most interceptions in the entire league.
“I take it day by day, we will analyze my performance at the end of the season, but I try to play at the highest level possible. Obviously in the playoffs it’s either win and go or go home, I’m aware of that, but I’m focused on being the best version of myself for this team and letting it all fall into place,” Stafford shared.
The subject of interceptions is not new to Matthew Stafford. In his thirteen years of professional career, only in two seasons, 2010 and 2019, has he finished with single digits in that category. Of Matt’s 17 interceptions this season, four were returned for opposing TDs.
“Something I love about Stafford is his way of accepting mistakes and always looking for ways to improve. There is a risk in the position that interceptions are obviously not always his fault. I am satisfied with his performance, I hope we have a clean game on Monday, if (Matthew) plays as he knows how, I am confident that great things will come for the team”, said the head coach Sean McVay about.
Jared Goff vs Matthew Stafford
They say comparisons are hateful, and they really are. However, the background of former Rams quarterback Jared Goff is fresh. Despite the fact that the relationship between Goff, head coach Sean McVay and the Los Angeles franchise did not end on the best terms, causing the trade, it is not forgotten that Goff led the team to the Super Bowl in the 2018 season.
The city of Los Angeles will host Super Bowl LVI, so the expectation and pressure is stronger than ever for the Rams. Last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first team in history to play a Super Bowl at home, and the Rams want to continue the trend.
“I feel the same pressure (whether it’s here in LA or Detroit), every time I go out on the field. If you don’t feel the pressure to execute every time you go out, something is wrong with you, in my opinion. It’s positive pressure that I put on myself to go out there and try to help the team win,” the 33-year-old quarterback said.
For now, Stafford matched his best regular season for touchdown passes with 41, as he did in 2011 with the Detroit Lions (although now in 17 games). The highest number of touchdowns Goff had with the Rams was 32, precisely in the Super Bowl season.
Although the yardstick for Stafford’s success with the Rams seems to be at its highest: handing over a ring to the institution, coach Sean McVay sees beyond that.
“I have tremendous respect for how much the quarterback position entails. (Matthew) has grown and learned a lot, taking in everything we’ve asked of him, learning the playbook less than a year ago. He has done a great job as a leader, the coaches love him and so do his teammates. I think he’s had a successful season and of course we want to go as far as possible,” coach McVay shared of Stafford.
Matthew Stafford will look for not only his first career playoff win against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, but the first postseason victory in SoFi Stadium history to dispel any doubts.
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