Matthew Stafford Slings Rams Over Saints in Playoff Picture
Peaking at the right time is the name of the game in the NFL, and that seems to be the care for the Los Angeles Rams as they managed to make it two straight victories with a 30-22 win over the New Orleans Saints.
The same can also be said of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who continued his streak of impressive play on a Holiday edition of Thursday Night Football, leading a well-rounded L.A. offense to their fifth win in six games.
The 35-year-old completed 24 of his 34 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns in a game that wasn't nearly as close as the final score suggested.
After spreading the ball to six different receivers last week, all Stafford needed Thursday night was four. Headlining those receivers atop the stat sheet was standout rookie Puka Nacua, who led the Rams with 164 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions. Demarcus Robinson and Cooper Kupp trailed him, as the two combined for 134 yards and a touchdown on 12 receptions, while tight end Tyler Higbee was the only other target for Stafford.
Thursday was merely a continuation of the past six games for Stafford, as his latest performance now means he's thrown for 1,578 yards and 15 touchdowns with just two interceptions. This stretch of play comes a year after many questioned if Stafford would even be playing this season as injuries plagued him.
Rams' Late-Season Transformation Continues With Clutch Win Over Saints
However, aside from the thumb injury that caused him to miss the loss to the Green Bay Packers, this season has been a different story for Stafford.
With the win over the Saints, the Rams are now above .500 (8-7) for the first time since their Week 1 victory over the Seattle Seahawks and are now the holders of the No. 6 spot in the playoff picture.
The Rams will look to make three straight wins and further solidify their playoff chances in a week from Sunday when they travel to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to take on the 5-9 New York Giants.