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Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after defeating the Carolina Panthers.
The Los Angeles Rams will await official word on quarterback Matthew Stafford’s finger, particularly following his candid remarks about the injury that he suffered in the Wild Card against the Carolina Panthers.
Stafford had another history-making day, shaking off a mid-game lull to lead the Rams to a win and advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Still, his status will remain a source of intrigue until a final decision is made.
Matthew Stafford Gets Honest About Injury
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Stafford completed 24 of 42 passes for 304 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception in the 34-31 Rams’ win. But he was visibly shaken up after hitting his hand in the first half and bumping it again in the second.
Rams head coach Sean McVay noted that Stafford was able to deliver a good ball on the next play, but deferred to the three-time Pro Bowler.
Stafford noted that he was able to finish the game, but also that adrenaline played a part.
“Yeah, I got a finger bent back,” Stafford told reporters postgame. “They saw it on the TV on the sideline or whatever. I didn’t, obviously, know exactly what had happened. It wasn’t pleasant. Wasn’t great. We’ll see what it is. Was obviously able to finish the game and throw it decent. Once the ball is snapped, the adrenaline’s pretty good. So we’ll, hopefully, just keep it going.”
Stafford’s inaccuracy following a hot start drew attention, with former NFL QB Chase Daniel among those to weigh in.
“Matthew Stafford’s finger is hurting him more than we know….completely changed the game,” Daniel posted during the game. “It’s his right index finger which is the last finger off the ball as a QB…almost impossible to control where the ball goes.”
However, Stafford’s former Detroit Lions teammate Golden Tate said the Rams QB is “different.”
“One time Stafford messed up a finger on his throwing hand. I checked on him like ‘you good?’” Tate posted on X on January 10. “He said, ‘bro I’m straight… I got nine other fingers.’”
The Rams will face either the Chicago Bears or the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round, depending on the winner of the final NFC Wild Card game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers.
Matthew Stafford Makes Strong Statement After Win
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before facing the San Francisco 49ers.
McVay lauded Stafford with praise, noting the QB was “in total command” and did “MVP-type of stuff” on the Rams’ final possessions to lead them back to a victory, adding that he was “outstanding” late in the game. McVay said Stafford’s “leadership” was “why we’re advancing.”
Stafford said, “That’s what you work for.”
“You do all these hours in your life of being a kid in the backyard, throwing the ball around, saying, ‘Okay, this is the situation. We got to make it happen.’ And then, get to do it throughout my football career. And an opportunity like tonight, I walked behind Tae [Davante Adams] on the way out and was like, for that last drive–I forget what I said to him. But I was like, ‘Let’s go snatch these guys–let’s go snatch this one back, man. Let’s go.
“I love those situations. I live to do it. It’s great to do it on the road, too. Quite a nice crowd today. So, we’ll take it.”
Adams confirmed that it was the Panthers’ “hearts” Stafford wanted the Rams to snatch. The Rams will face either the Chicago Bears or the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round, depending on the winner of the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers’ matchup.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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