The Athletic has live coverage of Rams vs Lions in the NFC wild card matchup.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — No, it wasn’t symbolic that new Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford went out to the center of the field at SoFi Stadium pregame for the coin toss, as the team’s lone captain in his Los Angeles debut (or so said head coach Sean McVay). No, it wasn’t symbolic that Stafford wore the same “smiley” sweater issued to him for an ESPN cover shoot over the summer during his postgame interview (he said his wife, Kelly, told him to wear it).
Even his second pass of Sunday night’s 34-14 win over the Bears — a 67-yard touchdown bomb downfield to second-year receiver Van Jefferson — wasn’t symbolic of a new air-yards era (although, it may have felt that way for the thousands of fans present for the first time since the stadium opened and the many more who were watching the broadcast at home).
No, Stafford indicated, in pleasant “deferral” mode when up at the podium postgame as he usually is, even after his standout performance. No, that’s just football. Normal stuff.
“Once the ball is snapped it’s football,” Stafford said postgame. “There’s new plays in a new stadium, throwing to guys in a different uniform. But I’m happy where I’m at and I’m pleased with…
