Matthew Stafford dealt with 12 seasons of consistent losing as a member of the Detroit Lions. Despite the Pro Bowl quarterback playing at a high level during that span, he couldn’t lift up the downtrodden organization.
Enter into the equation Stafford being traded to the Los Angeles Rams a year ago on Sunday. For the former No. 1 pick, it was all about contending for a championship.
With his Rams losing 17-7 to the San Francisco 49ers entering the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game Sunday evening, it sure looked like Stafford was going to go down before the big game again.
That’s when the 33-year-old signal caller put up a career-defining moment. He led Los Angeles to three unanswered fourth-quarter scores, including a 11-yard touchdown strike to Cooper Kupp to pull the Rams within three.
Los Angeles would go on to kick two field goals for a 20-17 win. During this fourth-quarter stretch, Stafford completed 11-of-14 passes for 121 yards. He came through absolutely clutch.
For objective football fans, seeing Stafford earn that elusive Super Bowl appearance in front of his home crowd in Southern California was awesome. So much losing in Detroit. So much good play for a bad franchise.
Stafford and his Rams are now set to host Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in two weeks. Just amazing.
#RIUTA
— ️at McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 31, 2022
Matthew Stafford and The RAMS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL pic.twitter.com/JezqtoEdDa
Matthew Stafford played his entire career for the Lions and didn’t win a single playoff game. Leaves Detroit, immediately wins three playoff games and is going to the Super Bowl.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 31, 2022
Congrats to the Rams for winning the NFC Championship. Stafford did what he always does – threw it to the other team. But Tartt dropped it. Then Jimmy G went Jimmy Gag, predictably. Let the Trey Lance Era begin.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 31, 2022
MATTHEW STAFFORD IS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL LET’S GOOOOOOOOO
— Evan Fox (@evanfoxy) January 31, 2022
How can you not be happy for Matt Stafford? Got chills for the guy.
— Boston Connor (@BostonConnr) January 31, 2022
Football is the best.
This is America’s Super Bowl. Stafford Vs. Shiesty… there are no losers
— MMG (@PapaMeagzz) January 31, 2022
Joe Burrow vs Matthew Stafford gotta be one of the most likable QB matchups in Super Bowl history.
— Chris Castellani (@Castellani2014) January 31, 2022
January 30, 2021: #Rams trade for Matthew Stafford.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 31, 2022
January 30, 2022: #Rams going to the Super Bowl.
Soooooo happy for Matt Stafford that man been thru a lot
— kuz (@kylekuzma) January 31, 2022
Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 31, 2022
For only the second time ever, two former No. 1 overall picks will face off in the Super Bowl (only other time was Peyton Manning and Cam Newton in 2016).
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