Rams’ Stafford fired up to realize his Super Bowl dreams

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Matthew Stafford often mutes his feelings in public, whether or not he’s underneath heart or behind a financial institution of microphones. He had a measure of California cool lengthy earlier than he moved to the West Coast final yr to pursue his largest soccer desires earlier than it was too late.

That’s why the remainder of the Los Angeles Rams have been joyously shocked final Sunday when Stafford let all of it out.

After the quarterback accomplished an imposing 44-yard go to Cooper Kupp to arrange the sector objective that despatched the Rams to the NFC championship recreation, Stafford spiked the ball to cease the clock — after which he spiked it once more in a frenzied, screaming celebration whereas he bounced off the sector.

“All the blokes on the sideline have been like, ‘Man, you have been in a darkish place,’” Stafford mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘Generally, you simply need to go to these locations and make some performs occur.’ I used to be having fun with the second. In my thoughts, I reside for these form of moments. I'd have beloved to have been taking a knee up three scores, however it’s an entire lot extra enjoyable while you’ve bought to make a play like that to win the sport and simply steal any person’s soul.“

Daring, provocative phrases from a participant who isn’t susceptible to grand pronouncements — and even attention-grabbing responses to questions throughout most recreation weeks.

However the whole lot about Stafford has been targeted and amplified whereas he chases his first Tremendous Bowl ring. Together with his greatest probability but to achieve each participant’s final objective, Stafford has been close to his very best.

After a powerful common season coloured by late-season turnover issues, Stafford has thrown for 570 yards and accomplished 74.5% of his passes with out an interception whereas incomes the primary two playoff victories of his profession. He has thrown 4 TD passes and rushed for 2 extra scores whereas showcasing a poise worthy of the sport’s greatest quarterbacks.

His gutsy completion to Kupp — whereas getting clobbered by Ndamukong Suh, no much less — and his subsequent celebration have been the punctuation on a transparent, declarative assertion of Stafford’s want.

“It was form of Kobe-esque,” Rams coach Sean McVay mentioned, evoking the final word measure of sports activities ardour in Los Angeles.

“He’s very poised in entrance of the media and he’s poised throughout video games, however he’s bought quite a lot of stuff to him that I believe folks wouldn’t notice,” McVay added. “And that’s precisely what you need out of your quarterback. I really like that fireside that he has.”

Stafford’s first season with the Rams (14-5) has been essentially the most profitable of his 13-year NFL profession, however he leads Los Angeles in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers (12-7) on Sunday understanding they’ll in all probability want one other superlative effort from him to beat an opponent that has owned the Rams for 3 years.

“That is an unbelievable alternative,” Stafford mentioned Wednesday. “It’s an entire lot of enjoyable to be doing what we’re doing, enjoying soccer after we’re one of many final 4 groups left.”

Stafford left the one NFL staff he’d ever recognized and moved his 4 youngsters throughout the nation final spring as a result of he may really feel time marching previous him. After a dozen seasons in Detroit, he had solely three playoff losses to indicate for a prolific profession on a protracted collection of disappointing groups.

The Rams have offered him with the instruments to succeed, and he has improved upon them. As an illustration, Kupp turned the best receiver in soccer when partnered with Stafford, simply as Calvin Johnson did repeatedly throughout his concurrent profession with Stafford in Detroit.

McVay is an modern, aggressive play-caller whose fashion is suited to Stafford’s sturdy arm and assured decision-making. Their partnership didn’t at all times work completely within the common season, however the largest setback for LA’s offense within the postseason has been 4 turnovers by Stafford’s teammates in opposition to Tampa Bay.

All the things is in place to face the 49ers, who harassed Stafford with a four-man rush in each conferences this season. Stafford excels in opposition to blitzes due to his decision-making prowess, however San Francisco ceaselessly drops seven males into protection and nonetheless will get stress.

Stafford is aware of all of this, and he's ready to attempt once more.

“There aren’t a ton of various seems to be,“ he mentioned. ”They do an incredible job stunting their defensive position and transferring guys after the snap. ... It’s about execution for us, guys doing the appropriate factor play in and play out, and after we’re getting the alternatives to hit large performs, we've to hit them.”

Stafford has nice teammates throughout him in Los Angeles, each within the Rams’ locker room and at residence. His spouse, Kelly, reveals extra about her husband on her weekly podcast than Stafford himself ever discusses publicly — and this week, she introduced her intention to purchase championship recreation tickets for a major variety of Rams followers who've been priced out of SoFi Stadium.

Stafford solely must give attention to his work, and he appears decided to don't have any regrets subsequent month.

“I’m simply making an attempt to ensure that I’m within the current, being form of the place my toes are planted, and caring for enterprise right here,” Stafford mentioned.

NOTES: LT Andrew Whitworth (knee) and S Taylor Rapp (concussion) are on observe to return Sunday, McVay mentioned. ... LT Joseph Noteboom would have missed observe together with his pectoral harm if the Rams had held greater than a walkthrough. DT Greg Gaines (toe) and WR Van Jefferson (knee) are additionally beginning the week slowly.

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