Matthew Stafford had arguably his best season in an already-accomplished career, and the Los Angeles Rams star is rightfully garnering attention for it.
Stafford and the Rams are focused, locked in on reaching their second Super Bowl together, and the fifth all-time for the organization. But the three-time Pro Bowler, who earned First Team All-Pro honors this season, is the catalyst.
Stafford is on track to add another piece of hardware to his resume.
Rams’ Matthew Stafford Gets NFL Attention
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts to an incomplete pass against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
The NFL announced in a post on X on January 22 that Stafford was among the finalists for AP Most Valuable Player, along with several of the Rams QB’s peers and one outlier.
“A legendary season from a legendary QB,” the Rams said in a post on X, celebrating the news from the NFL about their franchise passer, adding confirmation that “Matthew Stafford is an MVP Finalist! [hands clapping emoji].”
Stafford led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns during the regular season.
He slipped during the season, but Stafford has since regained his footing as the odds-on favorite to win the award, per Vegas Insider on January 22.
Fellow quarterbacks Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, and Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars also made the final running for the award. Maye and Lawrence have the second and third-best odds, respectively, to win the award.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is the lone non-QB on the list.
The last time a non-quarterback won MVP was in 2012. That was also a running back, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Stafford’s season began with a back injury that sidelined him during the offseason program and required the use of a special chamber during training camp. Now, he is coming off an MVP-caliber season and could solidify it with the actual award.
The MVP will be announced during the NFL Honors award show on February 5.
Matthew Stafford Using Past Experience
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates against the Seattle Seahawks.
Stafford spoke candidly as the Rams prepare for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, his second with the Rams. Last time, they won it and the Super Bowl.
However, Stafford said they are not doing anything out of the ordinary this week.
“I’m just taking it as I normally do. How do I prepare to go have a great walkthrough practice here on Wednesday? And then, go home, do what I do before Thursday practice, and get ready to go for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, all the same,” Stafford told reporters during his media availability on January 21. “
“We’re not immune to understanding the circumstances and what the game means to the outside world, and to whether or not we get to continue to keep playing football or not. But from a daily standpoint, we operate as normal, and get ready to play.”
Even still, Stafford is one of the Rams players on the current roster who was around for that last Super Bowl run.
He is leaning on that experience for this game.
“They all shake out different, but it was a great battle. Obviously, division opponents, which was somewhat similar to this Sunday. But yeah, that’s another great defense we faced that day. Fast, aggressive defense similar to the one that we’re facing on Sunday,” Stafford said about the 2021 NFCCG, which was in LA against the 49ers.
“You got to go out there, still find a way to play aggressive, but also take what they’re giving you. Just like you do every single game. But that was a great memory. Hopefully, make another good one on Sunday.”
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