After beginning the season with a disappointing 3-6 record, the Los Angeles Rams have won five of their last six games to get back into playoff contention.
The Rams’ turnaround can be attributed to the improved play of Matthew Stafford, who has thrown for 15 touchdowns in comparison to just two interceptions during the stretch.
As the Rams prepare for their Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale offered high praise for Stafford, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk:
“I think that Stafford is playing at a Hall of Fame-type level and each team, we’ve talked about it here, each team jells and they have jelled offensively. I think that Matthew is — I mean, he’s making throws that you just sit there and go, ‘wow,’” Martindale said. “From all different kind of arm angles, no looks, all those things you’ve heard about, you’re seeing him do it and they’re playing at a very high level.”
Martindale, who is one of the NFL’s most respected defensive coordinators, added that Stafford should be in the MVP conversation with Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens.
Stafford has played in all but one of the Rams’ 15 games this season, completing 62% of his passes for 3,648 yards and 23 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
While the Rams head into MetLife Stadium as one of the hottest teams in the NFL against a rebuilding Giants franchise, they can’t let their foot off the gas as Martindale will have his defense ready to play spoiler.
If the last few weeks are any indication though, Stafford will have the Rams offense firing on all cylinders to pick up a win.
Rams playoff clinching scenarios in Week 17
The Rams can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Giants and a Seattle Seahawks loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
An unlikely scenario for the Rams to get into the playoffs would involve defeating the Giants and the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings playing to a tie in their Sunday Night Football matchup.
