Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford opened the 2023 season with back-to-back 300-yard games, but talk of the 15-year veteran's rejuvenation stalled out in Week 3. In Monday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, he was intercepted twice and sacked four times while going 18-for-33 for 269 yards and one touchdown. Stafford did lead the Rams into the red zone four times and got within 30 yards of the goal line twice more, but could not get the Rams across the goal line until their final possession of the game. Monday's score was just his second touchdown in 126 total pass attempts this season, the second-worst rate in the league after Ryan Tannehill. Even though Stafford has another favorable matchup against the Colts in Week 4, by now he can't be trusted to finish any higher than as a QB2.
Sep 26, 2023 3:16 AM EST
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has a much easier matchup this week than he did in the team's Week 2 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Stafford has thrown for over 300 yards in each of the first two games this season. Despite the extreme passing volume, the 35-year-old has averaged just over 14 fantasy PPG and is the overall QB22 through two weeks. While the Rams' Week 3 matchup, Cincinnati Bengals, have given up more on the ground than through the air, they still have a very young and inexperienced secondary. Stafford is a low-end QB1 for Week 3 and is mainly an option in superflex leagues.
Sep 23, 2023 8:50 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford made some costly mistakes in the team's 30-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Facing a tough defense, Stafford went 34-of-55 for 307 pass yards, one touchdown, and four carries that accounted for 17 yards. While the team fought against one of the league's top defenses and teams, Stafford threw two costly second-half interceptions. The 35-year-old has thrown for over 300 yards in back-to-back games, and it is evident that the Rams will throw the ball a ton this year. Until Cooper Kupp is back, Stafford is a low-end QB1 against the Bengals in Week 3.
Sep 18, 2023 2:39 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to continue his excellent level of play in the team's Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. In the Rams' first-week upset of the Seattle Seahawks, Stafford went 24-for-38, resulting in 334 yards, the third-most pass yards of any quarterback during Week 1. Stafford looked to have an established connection with Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell with All-Pro receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring) out. The veteran QB has an extremely tough matchup against one of the league's top defenses in Week 2; therefore, fantasy managers should not start Stafford in single-quarterback leagues under any circumstances.
Sep 16, 2023 6:11 AM EST
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 24 of 38 pass attempts for 334 yards in the team's 30-13 win against the Seattle Seahawks. He also added 11 rushing yards but failed to score a touchdown in either department. The former Super Bowl champion was without All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp but young receivers Puka Nacua (10 catches for 119 yards) and Tutu Atwell (6 for 119) stepped up in his absence. The Rams' passing game will be tougher to trust against San Francisco in Week 2 but Stafford could find himself back on the radar in redraft leagues when Kupp returns.
Sep 11, 2023 9:44 AM EST
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is entering his 15th season in the league and faces the Seattle Seahawks in the team's regular season opener. Stafford appeared in nine games last season and averaged 12.9 fantasy points per game. To put it into perspective, this was lower than Andy Dalton, Davis Mills, Matt Ryan, Sam Darnold, Marcus Mariota, and many more QBs. The 35-year-old will not have his All-Pro receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring) to start the season. Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, and Puka Nacua will likely be in three wide-receiver sets, along with Tyler Higbee starting at tight end. Stafford should not be an option in 1QB leagues this week and is mainly an option in superflex formats.
Sep 9, 2023 8:03 AM EST
Stafford took a rest day Monday, but coach Sean McVay said after practice that the quarterback is healthy and that Stafford isn't expected to miss any more days of training camp, Eric Williams of Fox Sports reports.
Jul 31, 2023 8:12 PM EST
Stafford (neck) said Monday that he expects to avoid surgery to address his spinal cord contusion and plans to be a full participant for OTAs in April, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports. "I had obviously the thumb a couple years ago, and then elbow stuff that I wasn't able to really participate in a whole lot of stuff when it comes to throwing the football for a long time," Stafford said. "So to be able to do that at a way more regular pace, which is exciting for me as a player, that's what I want to do. I want to be out there, I want to be able to throw and be a part of the team."
Jan 10, 2023 2:56 PM EST
Stafford (neck) said Tuesday he has no plans to retire, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Dec 20, 2022 7:30 AM EST
Rams head coach Sean McVay said Friday that Stafford won't require any sort of procedure while the quarterback recovers from a spinal cord contusion, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Dec 9, 2022 3:44 PM EST
Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Stafford's neck injury isn't a long-term issue, and the quarterback is expected to have a "healthy offseason," Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Dec 5, 2022 10:57 AM EST
Coach Sean McVay said Sunday that Stafford is dealing with a spinal cord contusion and will likely miss the remainder of the season, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Dec 4, 2022 4:34 PM EST
Stafford (neck) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Dec 3, 2022 11:43 AM EST
Stafford (neck) won't play in Sunday's game against Seattle and remains uncertain to return this season despite clearing concussion protocol this week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Dec 2, 2022 11:18 AM EST
Coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that it's "safe to say" Stafford (concussion/neck) isn't in line to play Sunday against the Seahawks, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Nov 30, 2022 12:00 PM EST
Stafford (neck), who has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Chiefs, is showing improvement with his symptoms as he navigates the NFL's concussion protocol, and the Rams appear to view him as week-to-week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Nov 27, 2022 7:31 AM EST
The Rams are uncertain if Stafford (neck/concussion) will be available to play again this season, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.
Nov 27, 2022 5:29 AM EST
Coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Stafford won't play Sunday at Kansas City due to a neck issue, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Nov 23, 2022 1:22 PM EST
After undergoing further testing Monday, the Rams have yet to place Stafford in the NFL's concussion protocol, Skyler Carlin of USA Today reports.
Nov 21, 2022 3:04 PM EST
Stafford isn't in the concussion protocol after Sunday's 27-20 loss at New Orleans, but he's slated for additional tests Monday and/or Tuesday to determine if he'll enter it, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Nov 20, 2022 2:10 PM EST