The buzz around Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is palpable, and the Rams are celebrating him. Moreover, a former teammate offered a revelation that only bolsters the two-time Pro Bowler and 2021 Super Bowl championâs MVP case.
All of this is happening as Stafford, in his age-37 season, has led the Rams to a 6-2 start rivaled only by their mark to begin their Super Bowl-winning 2021 campaign.
This is not some sort of intangible thing, either. Stafford is producing.
Rams Issue Notice About Matthew Stafford
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans.
Entering Week 10, Stafford has thrown for 2,147 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions on 67.2% completion. He ranks sixth in passing yards, ninth in attempts, and has the third-lowest interception rate among qualified QBs.
However, it is his league-leading TD total that drew a fitting message of notice from the Ramsâ social media team.
[No. 9 emoji] leading the way,â the Rams posted on X on November 6.
Former Detroit Lions teammate and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky posted on X on November 6 that Matthew Stafford has started 240 games in the NFL and been accompanied by a 100-yard rusher in…25 of them.â
Orlovsky summed up his point, saying of Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2009 draft, âno QB has ever carried a heavier freight.â
Staffordâs TDs tie Kurt Warner for the most through eight games in a season. Warner won MVP.
Rams HC Sean McVay Praises Matthew Stafford
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Orlovskyâs comments play well into what Rams head coach Sean McVay said about Staffordâs performance this season relative to years past. McVay said Stafford is âplaying really well,â and has done so âthroughoutâ his career.
However, this version of Stafford is âin total commandâ and has âfull ownership of whatâs going onâ offensively.
It is paying off for the Rams.
âThatâs not any different than what Iâve seen in previous years,â McVay told reporters on November 5. âEverybody makes a big deal about these numbers. But what I do think heâs doing a great job of is ⦠not leaving the ball in harmâs way either. Sometimes you get away with â you might have low picks. But you might have had some turnover-worthy plays. Heâs been really great with that.
âHeâs been awesome. I think heâs playing excellent football. But thereâs a lot of instances that I can point to when heâs played great football, and thatâs why we’re fortunate to have him leading the way.â
Up next for Stafford and the Rams are the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10. The 49ers defeated Stafford and the Rams in Week 5 on âThursday Night Football,â making this a revenge game.
Matthew Stafford MVP Case Building
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts against the San Francisco 49ers.
Stafford has garnered plenty of early MVP love, with Orlovsky and Rams teammate Quentin Lake both expressing support for the idea. Former teammate Andrew Whitworth joined in on beating he drum for Staffordâs MVP case.
âI donât know what you want to say about this guy other than the dude is absolutely on fire,â Whitworth told co-host and former Rams QB Ryan Fitzpatrick on âFitz and Whitâ in a clip shared on November 6. âThis guy right now, Fitz, I think you have to say heâs the MVP of the NFL right now. [If] this continues, Matthew Stafford is winning his first-ever MVP award.â
ESPNâs Bill Barnwell ranked Stafford second in his MVP standings, behind Patrick Mahomes, whose Kansas City Chiefs are 5-4. Mahomes is third in passing yards and touchdowns.
His interception rate is also twice as high as Staffordâs.
Barwell argued Stafford has had some interceptions dropped, and that he has âmissed a few more throws than his reputation would suggest,â admitting it was nitpicking at that point in the rankings.
However, Fitzpatrick took his praise for Stafford further than just agreeing that he is the mid-season MVP.
Fitzpatrick said Stafford deserved the âLifetime Achievement Awardâ and has been âmasterful.â
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rams Issue Notice About Matthew Stafford Before Rematch Against 49ers appeared first on Heavy Sports.