The Los Angeles Rams emerged from the Wild Card victorious, but also facing uncertainty about quarterback Matthew Stafford before they visit the Chicago Bears in the Divisional Round.
Stafford injured his finger, bending it back on a defender’s helmet while attempting to make a pass. He took multiple hits, and at least one other that left him visibly shaken. However, he was able to finish the contest.
Rams head coach Sean McVay offered a significant update on Stafford’s status on Monday.
Rams HC Sean McVay Makes Strong Claim About Matthew Stafford
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay celebrates with Matthew Stafford against the Seattle Seahawks.
Stafford began the Rams’ win over the Panthers hot, but struggled with accuracy for much of the contest after injuring his finger. That was until the fourth quarter, during which Stafford completed 12 of 15 passes for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns.
McVay noted that moment and Stafford’s ability to be accurate immediately after the injury during his postgame press conference.
The coach expressed more confidence about Stafford’s status on Monday.
“Rams QB Matthew Stafford has a sprain on his index finger,” LA Daily News’ Adam Grosbard reported in a post on X on January 12. “Sean McVay says he’ll be good to go on Sunday against the Bears.”
Stafford finished the Panthers game with a 304-3-1 line on 57.1% completion. He downplayed the severity of the injury after the game.
However, Stafford noted that the situation was a factor.
“I got a finger bent back,” Stafford told reporters on January 9. “It wasn’t pleasant. Wasn’t great. We’ll see what it is. Was obviously able to finish the game and throw it decent. Once the ball is snapped, the adrenaline’s pretty good. So we’ll, hopefully, just keep it going.”
Stafford–once again the betting favorite to win MVP, per Vegas Insider–played in all 17 games during the regular season for the second time in his Rams tenure.
That is notable after he dealt with a back issue during the offseason and preseason.
There was optimism about the injury following reports that MRIs on Stafford’s finger came back clean. McVay’s comments align with Stafford’s postgame remarks and reports that scans on the balky digit did not reveal anything severe.
Matthew Stafford Facing Daunting Track Record in Divisional Playoffs
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after defeating the Carolina Panthers.
It is all good news as Stafford and the Rams head into a situation that looms large for them and the Bears in the Divisional Round, with their game slated for Sunday, January 18.
Stafford’s career trends in road, outdoor, and weather games could all converge on Sunday.
Stafford is 12-10 against the Bears in his career, facing them twice a year during his tenure with the Detroit Lions. But he is 55-63-1 in his career on the road, including a Week 4 loss to the Bears during the 2024 season.
He is 36-43 in outdoor contests, which again includes that 24-18 loss in Chicago at Soldier Field last season.
Then there is Stafford’s track record in cold games and games where the weather is a factor.
The three-time Pro Bowler got a big win over the Panthers in the rain in the Wild Card Round, but Accuweather’s early forecast for Sunday calls for temperatures as low as 12 degrees (“bitterly cold”) and a 25% chance of precipitation.
Stafford has thrown 9 interceptions this season, including Saturday’s win. Eight of them have come on the road, and his finger looms as a potential significant factor.
The story of the game could be Stafford and the Rams against the Bears and Mother Nature.
Rams Get Mostly Good News on Injury Front
GettySteve Avila #73, Kevin Dotson #69, and Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams take the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Stafford and the Rams could also get some much-needed reinforcements. In addition to the optimistic declaration about Stafford, McVay also touted the possibility that the Rams could get two other starters back in the mix.
Most pertinent to Stafford are right guard Kevin Dotson and tight end Terrance Ferguson.
Dotson has been sidelined since Week 16 with an ankle issue, while Ferguson missed the regular-season finale and Wild Card due to a bothersome hamstring.
Cornerback Josh Wallace is also expected to play. The news was not all good, though, with McVay also announcing that CB Ahkello Witherspoon aggravated the scapula injury that sidelined him during the regular season and will miss the remainder of the campaign.
Stafford and the Rams hope that it runs through the Super Bowl.
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