The Stafford thread…update 12/31: huge S.I. article

from S.I., Who Will Be The Best QB At The End of 2025? NFL Coaches, GMs and Execs Vote
Albert Breer polled dozens of evaluators, asking them to stack the best signal-callers in the game.: https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-mount-rushmore-league-evaluators-vote-best-quarterback-end-2025#_eomplrc3w

[me: top 6 were Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Jackson, Daniels, Herbert]

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7. Matthew Stafford, Rams
• 13 points

• Appeared on 12 ballots

• Last year: sixth

The interesting thing is that people who have been around him will tell you that he’s still getting better as a player, with his rocket arm maintaining its juice despite elbow and wrist issues, and his top-shelf processing ability ever ascending. The problem is he is pretty beat up, which puts a little caveat on all the anticipation surrounding what should be a very good Rams team.

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Absolute warrior… https://t.co/vtwUN9MAVH pic.twitter.com/0LJgSqRUv4

— Rams Tapes 🇵🇷 (@RamsTapes) September 4, 2025

from https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/houston-texans-gm-commends-matthew-stafford-la-rams-matchup

for Texans general manager Nick Caserio, he clearly hasn’t taken his eye off of Stafford leading up to his Week 1 matchup, handing some major praise his way leading up to Houston’s regular season opener in an interview with Texans Radio.

“Everything starts with Matthew,” Caserio said ahead of the Rams game. “One of the best quarterbacks in the history of the league. Borderline Hall of Famer. He’s going to be there. He’s as tough as any player in the league, and if he can’t go, they basically have another starting quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo.”

“Gifted thrower, can get the ball to any part of the field. You’re not going to show him anything he hasn’t seen. He’s been in the league, however many years he’s been in the league. So, his ability to understand and process information at a high rate of speed is one of his strengths, and he can literally get the ball to any angle of the field…He’s willing to hang in the pocket to take a hit and get out the ball under duress.”

Matthew Stafford’s Top 20 Longest Throws With The Rams

.@HoustonTexans @RamsNFL Stafford continues to demonstrate rare ability. You have to marvel at how he plays the game. Bravo Bravo. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/fviNzdW3fN

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 10, 2025

from https://www.therams.com/news/5-interesting-stats-rams-road-win-over-titans-nearly-perfect-second-half-from-matthew-stafford-explosive-runs-byron-young-pressures

Stafford had a near-perfect passer rating in the second half (152.7)

After throwing an interception during the final minute of the first half, Stafford went back to the sideline and slammed his helmet on the ground. But then he thought to himself, “What’s the one thing I can do? I touch it every play. Let me go make up for it right now,” Stafford said postgame, and that’s exactly what he did.

In the second half, Stafford completed 14 of his 17 pass attempts for 191 yards and two touchdowns. His 152.7 passer rating in the second half was the third-best of the week, and was 5.6 points away from perfection. It was better than any second-half passer rating Stafford had last season and secured 10.8 expected points added to the Rams’ score, meaning his second-half performance raised the Rams’ expected score by nearly 11 points, via nflverse data.

Nate Atkins@NateAtkins_
Matthew Stafford through two games:

71% completions
8.8 yards per attempt
107.1 rating

Tiny sample, but these would be career highs.

But could this be the most effective version of him yet, given the passing attack he’s operating?

Matthew Stafford is 7/9 on deep throws this season with the two incompletions being drops 👀 pic.twitter.com/eBK48DzZCC

— PFF (@PFF) September 16, 2025

.@RamsNFL @Titans never get tired of watching the talent and skill of Stafford. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/Rps6UdydtX

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 17, 2025

from Eagles Opponent Film Room: Scouting the Los Angeles Rams’ offense — https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/eagles-game-preview/158792/eagles-opponent-film-room-scouting-the-los-angeles-rams-offense

Los Angeles Rams Offense

Deep Passes

The Rams’ deep passing attack is still one of the best marriages of scheme and execution in the league. From under center, often in 12 personnel, Sean McVay builds everything off wide and inside zone looks. Receivers motion into the backfield or across the formation, holding defenders in place and creating just enough hesitation to open up shots down the field. When linebackers take a false step, Matthew Stafford is quick to fire into the void.

Rams Offense All22 Preview. 1) No surprises here, but the down the field passing game relies on outstanding accuracy from Stafford and a heavy dose of play-action, especially from under-center. Not many teams marry their passing game to their run games better than the Rams do! pic.twitter.com/AIZfl9EinG

— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) September 18, 2025

Stafford remains devastatingly accurate downfield. He hits crossers and digs in stride, threading throws into tight windows even when the defense has the numbers. That gap between the second and third level of the defense is where Stafford makes a living. He’s an exceptional thrower of the football.

2) Similar idea here with the under-center play-action. Stafford will hit that gap between the safeties/linebackers over and over again. When Stafford is kept unprotected there is no one better at slinging it down the field. pic.twitter.com/RA8hwZihyt

— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) September 18, 2025

Add Davante Adams to the mix, and the offense goes to a new level. For years, this was a scheme-dominant passing attack, but now it can win with individual brilliance. Adams still wins one-on-one with precise route running and physicality, while Puka Nacua is more of a threat against zone coverage with his feel for space. The Rams can beat you both ways, and that duality makes them a very tough offense to stop. They only have two outstanding weapons, but they can win in different ways.

3) The biggest improvement between this year's offense and previous versions is the addition of Davante Adams. He's still awesome. The nuances of his route running and ability to get open is still fantastic. The Rams' can win down the field with scheme as well as individual… pic.twitter.com/ZBLIru8Bdl

— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) September 18, 2025

The Eagles’ secondary will be tested in discipline and communication. Motion and shifts change the picture late, and if safeties fly downhill too quickly, Stafford will make them pay. If I were the Eagles, I wouldn’t be too aggressive early on against the run, and I would be more wary of throws over my head. I would trust my defensive line to stop a Rams’ rushing attack that hasn’t been that dominant so far this year.

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Some of the Rams’ passing designs in the red zone, in particular, are exceptional. Just look at this…

6) This is so good. The Rams at their best. They show run and have the receiver come in like he's blocking the C-gap. The whole defense flows to the right, then Stafford rolls out and hits the TE on the corner route. Stafford can roll out to his right and left and still throw… pic.twitter.com/rkend4aHE2

— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) September 18, 2025

Many of their scores are textbook McVay: play-action naked bootlegs where Stafford rolls out to find a receiver in the flat or on the corner. They love stressing the edge defender with a run fake, forcing him to choose between the back and the quarterback’s rollout. Stafford can throw effectively, rolling either way, which makes their bootleg game incredibly effective. There are very few quarterbacks who can roll to their left and throw like this!

Matthew Stafford's impact as a passer in the 4th quarter so far this season is unmatched: https://t.co/Lt25zvuiwD pic.twitter.com/ZB3D7B1rvt

— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) September 29, 2025