Once upon a time, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was a No. 1 overall pick out of Georgia looking to make his mark in the NFL.
Those days have long passed the 35-year-old by, who now walks around as a Super Bowl champion and perhaps has a Pro Football Hall of Fame bust waiting for him after retirement. Stafford is now one of the oldest signal-callers in the league, meaning there’s now players entering the league who grew up watching him during his early days with the Detroit Lions.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jake Fromm is one of them and gave Stafford the “old man” treatment before the Week 15 meeting between the two teams this past Sunday.
Like Stafford, Fromm played his collegiate football at Georgia, winning SEC Freshman of the Year in 2017. While Fromm remains hopeful for an opportunity to stick in the NFL, Stafford’s place is well-cemented. Coming off an injury-riddled 2022 campaign, Stafford has had a resurgence in 2023. In 13 games, he has thrown for 3,320 yards, 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 61.4% passing. He was at his best in the 28-20 win over Washington, completing 25-of-33 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns.
Rams, Matthew Stafford awaiting big-time matchup vs. Saints
He will need to be at his absolute best on “Thursday Night Football” against the New Orleans Saints — a game with heavy playoff implications in the NFC. Both teams sit at 7-7 with three games remaining. Los Angeles currently owns the seventh and final spot but needs a win to stay in the playoff race. If the Rams defeat the Saints in Week 16, they’ll have a 74% chance at making the postseason. A loss, and Los Angeles will have just a 15% chance at advancing.
They face a highly motivated bunch in New Orleans — a team riding a two-game winning streak. Though it’s a short week and a long trip out west, Saints quarterback Derek Carr is confident the team will be ready to play.
“I’ve had games like, you’re really frustrated after the game and I’m like, I’m glad I don’t have to wait until Sunday. And then also after a good game that we have as a team, you’re like, can we play today?” Carr said. “You want to get back out there because you feel good.
“I think, really, it’s in the mind-set. You’ve got to set your mind for Thursdays. They’re going to happen, whether you want them to or not. And you’ve got to bring the energy and the effort to have a good day.”
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