Los Angeles Rams have new hope with Matthew Stafford at controls
The Los Angeles Rams have high hopes for the 2021 NFL season. Matthew Stafford’s right arm is the biggest reason why.
Could the Rams be the second straight team to host the Super Bowl? It’s possible.
Los Angeles is welcoming the NFL world to SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13 for Super Bowl LVI. The Rams are hopeful that like Tampa Bay a season ago, they’ll be playing in front of the home fans. Of course, this time the place would be packed, unlike in Tampa Bay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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For the Rams, there is renewed optimism. Los Angeles made it to the NFC Divisional round last year after knocking off the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card round. However, they fell rather easily the following weekend to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Afterwards, it was quarterback Jared Goff who represented the big change in town, being traded in March to the Detroit Lions along with a pair of first-round picks for counterpart Matthew Stafford.
Stafford, 32, has never won a division crown or a playoff game. However, he’s been one of the most productive players in the league throughout his career, throwing for more than 45,000 yards and 282 touchdowns (against 144 interceptions) across 12 seasons, reaching a single Pro Bowl.
Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay has been open about his enthusiasm over Stafford and his upside. However, McVay explained while he wasn’t taking a shot at Goff, he certainly is excited about having Stafford in the building, per ESPN:
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“I hate that I even have to say this, but I think I made a comment that was definitely taken out of context. I’m very excited. I am in a good mood because of the confidence that I have in this team. But by no means is that a slight to anybody, you know, like Jared, who has done a phenomenal job for the last four years here.”
If the Los Angeles Rams are going to make a deep postseason run, it’ll be through the gauntlet of the NFC West. The division is likely the league’s best, loaded up with contenders including the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Seahawks.
It won’t be easy for a variety of reasons, but Stafford and the Rams have a real chance to make noise in the NFC and perhaps beyond. If all goes right, they’ll be at home on Feb. 13, playing instead of simply watching on the couch.
