National Football League
Eric Williams
Posted by NFC West
Matthew Stafford has been at the center of the Los Angeles Rams' surprising turnaround this season, from a shaky 5-12 Super Bowl record to 6-7 in 2023 and on the verge of making the playoffs.
But for Rams coach Sean McVay, orchestrating this offensive resurgence required a change in mentality, including personnel changes that helped his team stay healthy, as well as a more systematic focus on the run game and race concepts.
Add in fifth-round receiver Puka Nacua and second-year running back Kyren Williams, and Stafford plays more efficient football and leads the Rams' high-scoring offense. In his 15th season in the NFL, the 35-year-old quarterback is one of the favorites to win Comeback Player of the Year honors.
“He’s a great player and you can see he’s feeling healthy,” McVay said. “I think he distributes the football well. The guys compete hard around him and for him, and he has great control of what he sees.”
Stafford missed the Week 9 loss at Green Bay with a sprained right thumb. Since returning from injury (through four games, including meetings with the NFL's elite defensive backs, the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens), Stafford has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 992 yards, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions, earning a follow-up rating of 102. 2. . .
Stafford's defense was solid as Los Angeles' offensive line allowed just three sacks during that stretch. The Rams won three of their last four games and returned to the playoffs, averaging 30 points per game. Stafford was sacked 29 times in nine games last season before a spinal injury ended his season. He's been sacked just 22 times in 12 games this season.