Matthew Stafford has been a significant contributor to the L.A. Rams’ latest resurgence after the team started 1-4. While it hasn’t always been pretty, Stafford has helped the Rams win four of its last five games. As a reward for his four-touchdown outing in New England, the veteran jumped five spots in NFL.com’s QB index ahead of Week 12.
Matthew Stafford has been dominating, leading the Rams to four wins in their last five games. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JHTvjhyv1R
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 21, 2024
Writer Nick Shook placed Stafford just one spot behind rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, who rounded out his top 10:
“I’m at a loss when attempting to pin down Stafford in 2024. One week, he struggles significantly, missing a range of different throws and failing to elevate his team. The next week, he throws for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns, doing his best football Picasso impression when slinging the pigskin. I know this to be true: Stafford still has a cannon for an arm. He can complete long passes to the sideline and make exquisite attempts beyond the vertical limits of defenses. Sometimes, he releases off-platform and puts the ball right on the money. I just can’t predict how he’ll perform on a weekly basis, which explains his volatility in the QB Index this season. For one Sunday, he was fantastic and the primary reason the Rams left Foxborough victorious,” Shook wrote on Nov. 21.
The Matthew Stafford experience has proven to be a stomach-churning ride at times, and he’s thrown eight of his 13 touchdown passes in two games versus the Patriots and Vikings. Stafford is a box of chocolates as Rams fans have zero idea which version of them they’re going to see on a given week. I believe that’s roughly how the saying goes right, Forrest?
LA should be grateful that Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have returned to the lineup as Stafford is undeniably a much different player with them around. Hmm, shocking I know.
Matthew Stafford's ranks among QBs since Week 8 when Kupp & Puka returned (per @PFF):
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) November 21, 2024
1,165 passing yards (2nd)
10 TDs (t-2nd)
3 INT (t-7th)
8 big-time throws (t-4th)
5 turnover-worthy throws (t-5th)
103.2 NFL passer rating (t-11th)
He's still got it, in case you didn't know.
With a significant matchup looming against the streaking 8-2 Eagles, the Rams desperately need a vintage Stafford performance. If the signal caller can do that in front of a national audience on Sunday night, it could go a long way toward improving LA’s postseason odds. Let the rollercoaster commence!
