Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen had a memorable performance the last time he faced the Los Angeles Rams, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for another three in a wild 44-42 loss in the 2024 season.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is ready for more fireworks when the teams meet on Monday. The reigning league MVP delivered a strong message to Allen ahead of the Monday Night Football showdown between two Super Bowl contenders.
Matthew Stafford Facing Challenge Against Josh Allen
Stafford shared praise for Allen this week, telling reporters that the Bills quarterback knows how to elevate his team.
“I got a ton of respect for Josh, what he brings to their team,” Stafford said, via the team’s official website. “Not only from just making the plays, but I just think his presence out there gives them a ton of confidence, as it should. He’s a fantastic player, has been for a while and he does a great job leading that offense and leading that team. Obviously, I’m going against their defense, but understanding full well that our defense is facing a guy that is as talented as anybody in the NFL at the quarterback position. So it’ll be a big-time challenge for us as a team, as a unit. But we’re looking forward to it.”
Allen came into the season as a favorite to unseat Stafford as MVP, but has struggled in his last two games. The Bills quarterback has four turnovers in the last two weeks, including a late interception that sealed last week’s loss against the New England Patriots.
Matthew Stafford in Awe of Josh Allen’s Abilities
Stafford was never known as a mobile quarterback, but has grown even slower in his relatively advanced age. The Rams quarterback said he was in awe of quarterbacks like Allen who can make plays both with their arm and with their legs.
“I’m in awe of a lot of those guys,” Stafford said. “It’s really cool to watch them do what they get to do, get out of some of the plays that they get out of, and make some of the plays with their legs. Obviously, he does a great job of, (in the) red zone running the football, whether it’s the sneaks on the 1- or 2-yard line, or even just making plays from the 5 or 10 getting in. So he’s a lot of their offense, especially down there, but he’s a one-of-a-kind player at the quarterback position.”
Monday’s game will highlight Stafford’s age in another way. Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who has been out of the league for 12 years, faced Stafford several times.
Matthew Stafford Delivers Strong Message to Bills QB Josh Allen