The Los Angeles Rams are 3-2 heading into their Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Rams are second in the NFC West, but quarterback Matthew Stafford has become a source of intrigue.
This past offseason, Stafford’s future was in question. Now, it is the two-time Pro Bowler and 2021 Super Bowl champion’s present that has garnered attention.
Amid one of the best starts to a season he has had in his career, the argument has validity.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford Off to Hot Start Amid 3-2 Record
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts against the San Francisco 49ers.
“Are the 3-2 #Rams wasting Matthew Stafford’s best season to date?” YouTuber Jake Oliver Ellenbogen posted on X on October 6. “He’s currently on pace to throw for 5,110 yards, 37 TDs and 7 INTs with a passer rating of 107.3 and completion percentage of 66.7.”
The passing yards would set a new career high for Stafford, while the touchdown passes would be his second-most and the picks his fourth-fewest in a 16-year career.
Stafford leads the NFL in passing yards and is second in TD passes entering “Monday Night Football” in Week 5. His 1.1% interception rate ranks 24th and is tied for the fifth-lowest mark among qualifying passers.
“In the MVP conversation at 37 years old… QB1 is timeless… don’t you dare waste potentially his best season yet… @RamsNFL,” Rams Tapes posted on X on October 6.
Stafford is signed through 2026 on a two-year, $84 million contract.
Rams Off to Potentially Ominous Start
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on after facing the Indianapolis Colts.
Stafford has thrown for 1,503 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions on 66.7% completion through five weeks of the 2025 regular season, which is his second-best start with the Rams behind only the Super Bowl season, per Stathead.
That year, Stafford began the campaign with a 1,587-12-3 on 68% completion. Stafford also took fewer sacks that season, and the Rams were 4-1 after their first five contests.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler called Stafford “absurd” on X on October 2.
Stafford only had one starting stretch with the Detroit Lions that was better than his last five games. That was in 2013, when the Lions also began the season 3-2. They did not make the playoffs that year.
That is a potentially ominous sign for the Rams.
However, that season ended with the Lions on a four-game losing streak, which, barring injuries, the Rams hope to avoid.
Putting Rams’ Record in Proper Context
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams signals to his team against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Both of Stafford and the Rams’ losses this season have come against recent Super Bowl participants in the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. Stafford has a 585-5-1 line on 61.2% completion in losses and a 918-6-1 line on 70% completion in wins.
Stafford was sacked 7 times in the Rams’ three wins to two instances during their two losses.
Their opponents in their wins – the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans – have a combined 7-8 record and reside in the AFC South.
The Rams lost to the Eagles on a blocked potential game-winning field goal try that defensive tackle Jordan Davis returned for a touchdown to seal a victory in Week 3. They fell to the 49ers after head coach Sean McVay made multiple admittedly questionable decisions in Week 5.
The 49ers and Eagles are 8-2 combined and 4-1 each.
The Rams have been outscored by 6 points total in their two losses. They have outscored their opponents by 26 points.
There are items for the Rams to address. Potentially “wasting” Stafford is not among them, even from where they sit through five games. That does not mean the Rams should not look to improve, and McVay suggested that is on the table after the loss to the 49ers.
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