Matthew Stafford continued his high-level play through the bye week, helping the Los Angeles Rams dispatch the New Orleans Saints in short order, and one teammate offered strong thoughts on his QB after another strong performance.
Stafford completed 24 of 32 passes for 281 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Saints, giving him 9 scoring passes over the last two games.
To Rams safety Quentin Lake, Stafford has been the MVP.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford Draws MVP Endorsement From Teammate
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Lake posted on X after the Rams win that, “Early in the off season I said Stafford is a first ballot Hall of Fame candidate. MVP level ball he’s playing. Dude is different.”
Entering “Sunday Night Football” between the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, the two-time Pro Bowler and 2021 Super Bowl champion led the NFL in touchdown passes and ranked fifth in passing yards and rating.
Stafford and the Rams are off to their best start since they went 7-1 to open the 2021 season, which ended in a Super Bowl victory.
After the game, Stafford spread the credit around, starting with his offensive line.
“They’ve done a hell of a job keeping me clean. We’ve done a nice job of getting down in there when we’ve gotten in, gotten down close. We’ve done a great job of scoring. Obviously, Davante [Adams]’ been great down there. Was great again down there today. Higs [Tyler Higbee] had one down in there, too. So, it’s a collection of everybody,” Stafford told reporters after the game on November 2.
“When we’re at our best, a lot of people are touching the football, and it’s been a lot of fun, obviously. And I can’t do any of that stuff if I’m not standing upright. So, our guys up front are doing a hell of a job.”
Up next, Stafford and the Rams will take on the San Francisco 49ers with a chance at redemption for their Week 5 loss in overtime on “Thursday Night Football.”
Matthew Stafford Echoes Sean McVay
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay congratulates his players against the Dallas Cowboys.
Rams head coach Sean McVay praised Stafford and the freedom the veteran quarterback affords him as a play-caller. The two are also very much in sync.
They expressed nearly identical sentiments about the team’s performance overall.
“It’s not like we’ve got it all figured out. Just try to continue to play team football. I thought our guys on the defensive side of the ball did a great job starting the game the way they started it,” Stafford said.
“When we can go down and score early and give them a lead, that’s a good recipe for us. And then, they did a great job of forcing some turnovers late, and we were able to capitalize and score on some of that, too. There’s still things to clean up. Got to keep continuing to find ways to put more points on the board, keep doing that. But proud of our guys, and proud of the win.”
McVay said something very similar just moments prior, expressing his delight that the Rams are “getting better” as the season progresses, playing “really good complementary football.”
“It’s a combination. I think the coaches are doing a great job. I think the players, ultimately, are the ones that bring it to life. But there’s just a good vibe. There was a good sense of urgency, a good enjoyment for the appropriate urgency, and that balance of enjoying it, and I think that showed from our week of preparation,” McVay told reporters after the Rams’ 34-10 victory over the Saints, who are now 1-8 on the season.
“There’s a lot of stuff that we could build on. And, man, there’s a lot of stuff that we can clean up, which is what’s encouraging. Because we’re going to need to … continuously improve throughout the season. It’s one game. But to be 6-2 after eight is a good start, and I think we’ve learned a lot about our group.”
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