Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is entering the late stages of his career in the NFL. While Tom Brady managed to play until age 45, most quarterbacks see 40 as the stopping point, give or take a few years. As such, Stafford could be heading into the last big year of his prime.
With plenty of pressure added on the Rams to deliver this season thanks to Jared Goff’s resurgence with the Lions, the team needs a big run this year. Will Stafford get one?
Here’s a look at several key predictions in the lead-up to January.
Matthew Stafford will miss zero starts due to injury
Stafford has missed time due to injury in each of the last two seasons. However, while many remember that Stafford’s injuries tanked the 2022 Rams unit, some may forget that he also missed time last year as well.
That said, the injury bug doesn’t hit Stafford in a significant way this year. He might take some big hits and experience some discomfort at times, but, he won’t need to come out of a game one time this year due to injury.
He might be asked to sit out a game or two by Sean McVay at the end of the season to safeguard him into the playoffs. However, it won’t be because of injury.
Best touchdown-interception ratio in years
Matthew Stafford threw for 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in the year the Rams won the Super Bowl. The 41 touchdowns tied his record for touchdown passes in a single season. This year, he won’t hit that mark, but he will get quite close.
With Puka Nacua likely to be near perfect health in addition to Cooper Kupp, the receiving corps could be the best McVay has had since he joined the team in 2017. As such, Stafford will get the widest windows to throw the ball into since he was traded to the Rams. However, due to his advancing age, he won’t be able to take as much advantage as he could three years ago.
Matthew Stafford doesn’t finish 2024 with six losses
Stafford has finished with six losses in each of the last two seasons. By pure statistical probability, this won’t happen again this year. Whether he wins more games or loses more games is a question. However, he won’t finish with six losses for the third season in a row. In 2022, he finished 3-6. In 2023, he finished 9-6. This year, he will have an entirely new-looking final record.
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