NFL power rankings: Where Jimmy Garoppolo, remaining playoff QBs rank in divisional round
By Peter Panacy
. . . Matthew Stafford. 5. player. 51
NFL Power Rankings No. 5: Matthew Stafford, Rams
Good for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who finally experienced what it’s like to be on the right side of a postseason win in the Wild Card round.
LA dispatched the Arizona Cardinals in relatively easy fashion, Stafford going a cool 13-of-17 for 202 yards with two touchdowns thrown and no interceptions.
The latter part is key to watch here, as Stafford’s closing quarter of the regular season was chock full of turnover issues, specifically eight over his last five games.
That alone could be the concern for Stafford going into the divisional round. As has been the case with the entire Rams team this year, it almost feels as if it’s a feast-or-famine scenario. Boom or bust, whatever cliche you’d like to use.
Stafford and the Rams did defeat their next opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, way back in Week 3. In that game, Stafford threw for nearly 350 yards and four touchdowns against no interceptions at a point where the Bucs were notably healthier than they are now.
It was a home game for LA at SoFI Stadium, though, and this divisional round will be on the road.
However, much like Jimmy Garoppolo and the Niners, the Rams could be built squarely for postseason success. Their win over Arizona suggests so.