Rams Issue Notice About Matthew Stafford Before Rematch Against 49ers

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 champion’s 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 Rams’ social media team.

[No. 9 emoji] leading the way,” 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.”

Orlovsky summed up his point, saying of Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2009 draft, “no QB has ever carried a heavier freight.”

Stafford’s 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.

Orlovsky’s comments play well into what Rams head coach Sean McVay said about Stafford’s performance this season relative to years past. McVay said Stafford is “playing really well,” and has done so “throughout” his career.

However, this version of Stafford is “in total command” and has “full ownership of what’s going on” offensively.

It is paying off for the Rams.

“That’s not any different than what I’ve seen in previous years,” McVay told reporters on November 5. “Everybody makes a big deal about these numbers. But what I do think he’s doing a great job of is … not leaving the ball in harm’s way either. Sometimes you get away with – you might have low picks. But you might have had some turnover-worthy plays. He’s been really great with that.

“He’s been awesome. I think he’s playing excellent football. But there’s a lot of instances that I can point to when he’s played great football, and that’s why we’re fortunate to have him leading the way.”

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 “Thursday Night Football,” 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 Stafford’s MVP case.

“I don’t know what you want to say about this guy other than the dude is absolutely on fire,” Whitworth told co-host and former Rams QB Ryan Fitzpatrick on “Fitz and Whit” in a clip shared on November 6. “This guy right now, Fitz, I think you have to say he’s the MVP of the NFL right now. [If] this continues, Matthew Stafford is winning his first-ever MVP award.”

ESPN’s 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 Stafford’s.

Barwell argued Stafford has had some interceptions dropped, and that he has “missed a few more throws than his reputation would suggest,” 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 “Lifetime Achievement Award” and has been “masterful.”

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