Carson Wentz to Start in Place of Matthew Stafford For Rams vs. 49ers

With a playoff spot locked up, the Los Angeles Rams are resting starting quarterback Matthew Stafford

Matt Galatzan | Jan 3, 2024

In this story:

Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are playoff-bound after taking down the Giants in Week 17 and getting some help from the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Seattle Seahawks.

With their spot secured, the Rams had a decision to make as to whether or not they should rest their starters in Week 18 or go all in and try and improve their playoff position.

On Wednesday, it appears that a decision has been made, with the Rams reportedly electing to start backup quarterback Carson Wentz over starter Matthew Stafford at Levi's Stadium, per insider Mike Garafolo.

Matthew Stafford and Carson Wentz — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The start will be Wentz's first under center since his 2022 stint with the Washington Commanders.

As of now, what happens on Sunday with Wentz under center could carry some serious ramifications, specifically in terms of playoff positioning.

Currently, the Rams are slotted into the sixth seed heading into their matchup with San Francisco, and with a win, would likely lock up a matchup with the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, which of course, would be a homecoming for Matthew Stafford.

Should the Rams lose and the Packers win on Sunday vs. Bears in Green Bay, the Packers would own the head-to-head tiebreaker, moving L.A. to the seventh seed, where they could face either the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles.

Breaking Down Potential Rams' Playoff Opponents

The Rams have already faced the Cowboys and the Eagles this season, falling to Philadelphia 23-14 in Week 5, and being blown out 43-20 by Dallas at AT&T Stadium.

The Lions could also potentially make it to the seventh seed, but that would require them beating the Vikings, and the Cowboys and Eagles both losing to the Commanders and Giants, respectively.

Not matter what happens though, Stafford, and presumably a few more veterans should be well rested.

Published Jan 3, 2024

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com