The biggest worry for the Los Angeles Rams entering the season opener against the Houston Texans was whether starting quarterback Matthew Stafford was going to hold up with his back injury.
Stafford missed most of training camp as a precaution before returning for the last few weeks ahead of the Week 1 matchup.
The quarterback showed in the game that he appears to be 100%, throwing for 245 yards and a touchdown pass on 21 completions in the season opener.
“It was great,” Stafford said when asked how it felt to return to the field after a hard training camp. “I don’t take it for granted. I love being out there with those guys. I love getting to work with them. Just happy that I was able to kind of get through it what was going on… just happy to be where I’m at right now.”
Stafford’s performance against the Texans landed him the second-best grade from Pro Football Focus in Week 1 for an offensive player in week 1, with a 92.9 grade.
The LA Ram said that there wasn’t any moment in the game where they thought to himself if he wondered if he was going to be ok.
Rams’ head coach Sean McVay spoke to reporters after the game against Houston and opened up on how his quarterback performed.
McVay On How Matthew Stafford Held Up
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay
Sean McVay did not doubt in his mind that Matthew Stafford wasn’t going to play in the season opener.
After the team’s 14-9 victory against the Texans, a reporter asked the Rams’ head coach if he saw Stafford’s back bothering the player.
“No. Did you? Looked pretty good to me,” McVay told the reporter. “He took some shots, popped back up… I don’t know that the stats will necessarily reflect in terms of a bunch of yards, this guy was in total command today.”
“Thought he played excellent, kept the ball out of harm’s way… But he did a great job. I thought he made the plays that he was supposed to make. Was excellent with his timing and rhythm… We were at our best when we put the game in his hands while still being smart and having some good balance. But he made a bunch of big-time plays and we had to have all of them.”
McVay praised the quarterback’s mental toughness, saying that the team’s leaders embody the team’s personality, with most of it starting with Stafford.
Stafford Reaching Milestone Achievement
GettyLos Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (left) and head coach Sean McVay (right)
Despite playing with an injured back, Matthew Stafford was able to reach an exclusive club in the 2025 season opener.
Stafford became the 10th quarterback to reach 60k passing yards in NFL history.
“It brings back a lot of memories. I’ve been blessed to play this game along time with a bunch of great players,” Stafford said. “The cool thing about quarterback and my thought about it is, I can’ throw for any of those yards without ever other 10 players on the field.”
“It’s really cool. I share it with so many people and so many teammates and a bunch of coaches… my family and everybody that’s helped me get there… It’s an amazing thing and sure as hell, glad we did it getting a win too.”
Wide receiver Puka Nacua was the recipient of the 6-yard pass in the fourth quarter when Stafford made history.
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