Los Angeles Rams Cannot Survive Another Week Without QB Matthew Stafford

The Los Angeles Rams were noticeably limited on offense without their franchise quarterback on Sunday.

This is not a shot against Brett Rypien. He's in the league for a reason, and that reason is talent.

Instead, this is simply a notice of what the Los Angeles Rams are missing when Matthew Stafford is not on the field. Stafford, still dealing with a UCL sprain in his thumb, did not take the field against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and the offense took a noticeable step back in his absence, falling to a previously-scuffling Green Bay 20-3 at Lambeau Field.

Brett Rypien, who took the quarterbacking reins in Stafford's stead, went 13-of-28 through the air for 130 yards and an interception. That, however, is not the biggest issue that was found on Sunday. 

Sure, the offense did not operate with efficiency or even find the end zone against the Packers, but the Rams are now 3-6 overall on the season. The next two weeks will be crucial for L.A. if it hopes to right the ship and reach the postseason as it hosts the Seattle Seahawks and travels to the Arizona Cardinals in NFC West bouts.

Stafford will need to be healthy for those.

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford / USA Today

If the Rams can lose to a, frankly, not-very-good Packers team without Stafford, they can lose to a capable Seahawks team and scrappy Cardinals team if he does not take the field.

Plus, there's the intangible aspect of all this. Your franchise quarterback is your leader, and rosters are constructed around these players with the assumption that they will be healthy and playing. The same can be said for the Rams and Stafford.

The season isn't over in Inglewood, but it is at the very least in danger if Stafford's return isn't soon. His status remains day-to-day, but for Rams fans, hopefully, he will be back to normal speed at some point this week.