Is Matthew Stafford ready to return to Super Bowl form?

By Enwereji Amuruche

It seems like a long time ago when Matthew Stafford led the Los Angeles Rams to a 23-20 Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 26 of 40 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns and just two interceptions. Murmurs grew louder and louder wondering if Stafford had solidified his name in the Hall of Fame. 

That is what Vince Lombardi does to a career. It is the moment when a former number one pick feels that his draft position was justified and all the critics silenced. The only problem is that Stafford was drafted number one by another franchise, the Detroit Lions. Before arriving on the West Coast, he had led the Lions to just four winning seasons in 12 years and three trips to the NFC playoffs. He joined the Rams in 2021 and a year later was hoisting the Super Bowl trophy. The moment he did, his playoff struggles with the Lions were forgotten and all seemed right in the world.

Fast forward to the start of the 2022 season and although the Rams are sitting second in the NFC West with a record of 2-2, Stafford has thrown only four touchdown passes against six interceptions through the first four games. By this time last season, Stafford had 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. Still, head coach Sean Mcvay seems to be satisfied with his number one quarterback, calling him “excellent” in their loss to the 49ers.

Stafford did have minor surgery on his elbow during the offseason, which might explain his poor start to the season. The Rams also lost a key target in Odell Beckham Jr. Although it is still early in the season, Stafford needs to pick things up to quiet the noise and avoid people from dubbing him a one season wonder.

The Rams play host to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, October 9, a team they haven’t faced since 2020. Will this be the breakout game of the 2022 season for the NFL’s most recent Super Bowl winning quarterback?