Matthew Stafford has performed in 215 regular-season video games and eight playoff video games throughout his 15-plus NFL seasons. However the Rams quarterback has performed solely as soon as in opposition to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
It didn’t go effectively.
In 2014, whereas enjoying for the Detroit Lions, Stafford accomplished 19 of 46 passes for 264 yards, with an interception, in a 34-9 defeat. His 39.1 completion share stays the bottom in his profession.
“It was a tough day,” he stated Wednesday. “It wasn’t pretty.”
Stafford, nevertheless, immediately recounted the statistical image going into it, the personnel and coverages former Patriots coach Invoice Belichick efficiently deployed to neutralize Corridor of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson, and key accidents that occurred.
“Other than that,” Stafford quipped, “I remember nothing.”
On Sunday, Stafford returns to Gillette Stadium seeking to lead a Rams rebound from their 23-15 defeat by the Miami Dolphins on Monday evening. Stafford accomplished 32 of 46 passes for 293 yards with an interception. It marked solely the second time for the reason that Rams traded for him in 2021 that they didn’t rating a landing. He has handed for 9 touchdowns with seven interceptions this season.
Stafford nonetheless wants one landing cross to take sole possession of tenth place on the NFL’s profession checklist. He’s tied with Eli Manning at 366.
Whereas Stafford will play at Gillette Stadium for the second time, this will probably be Sean McVay’s first expertise there as a head coach. 9 years in the past, McVay made the journey as Washington’s offensive coordinator.
As was Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s customized, he got here onto the sphere with Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” ringing by way of the stadium. The music contains the lyric, “Allow me to reintroduce myself.”
Tom Brady would enter Gillette Stadium in fashion in New England.
(Getty Pictures)
“Brady walks out … and you’re thinking, ‘Oh man,’” McVay stated. “It was impressive.”
The Patriots gained, 27-10.
Stafford and McVay purpose for higher outcomes Sunday. It will likely be a problem, nevertheless, with the offensive line presumably reshuffling once more after a poor efficiency in opposition to the Dolphins.
The Rams had been inspired going into that sport as a result of middle Jonah Jackson, left guard Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom have been coming back from accidents that sidelined them for seven video games. Stafford was sacked 4 instances, nevertheless, a number of passes have been tipped and the speeding assault was ineffective.
“You have to acknowledge the fact that 60% of our guys that were out there hadn’t played football in months,” McVay stated, including, “You always try to simulate those things in practice settings, but it’s very difficult. … I know guys are competing to the best of their ability, but there were some things that we expect better.
“And you also look at yourself and say, ‘Are we doing exactly the right things?’ Even though if we might think that, let’s learn from it and let’s apply it moving forward.”
McVay stated proper deal with Rob Havenstein might be sidelined once more due to an ankle harm that compelled him to take a seat out in opposition to the Dolphins. Noteboom, who began rather than Havenstein, aggravated the ankle harm that had him on injured reserve and was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday’s harm report. McVay indicated there was an opportunity that second-year professional Warren McClendon Jr. may begin in opposition to the Patriots.
The Rams have but to play a snap with a projected line that features Alaric Jackson at left deal with, Avila at left guard, Jonah Jackson at middle, Kevin Dotson at proper guard and Havenstein at proper deal with.
Will there ever be a time when the Rams will subject their projected line?
“Your guess is as good as mine,” McVay stated, including, “It’s been some challenging, unique circumstances for sure. You certainly hope so, but here we are 10 weeks in and it just seems like you’re getting more resilient to handle it.”
