Matthew Stafford needs his best this week to beat the Ravens

The veneer finish to LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was incredible. From the moment the season started, the offense was suddenly capable of scoring from anywhere on the football field, with less than a minute required to do so. With that much horsepower under the hood, the Rams quickly fell into the rut of “Stafford will pull this one out,” at least until he could no longer do so.

The team had taken so much for granted that Stafford would win no matter what, that when he struggled, the entire team appeared completely un-Ram-like. The weaknesses of Special Teams were quite obvious.

What we all quickly realized is the fact that the defense could not stop a top-ranked NFL offense that takes the field in the red zone. The defense wears down if they are on the football field for two-thirds of regulation play. The Rams defense, as well as the arm of Matthew Stafford, needed a running game to succeed.

 His worst, now his best?

While we may never know why it took so long to do so, the Rams offense converted from a pass-happy offense to one that is more balanced. The team committed to rush veteran running back Sony Michel about 22 times per game. With more offensive help and less pressure of bad field position on the field, the LA Rams defense has suddenly begun to fill the shoes of a playoff team’s defense.

Even when Matthew Stafford experienced his season’s worst outing against the Minnesota Vikings, the Rams held on for the win. In short, we’ve seen his worst, now the LA Rams need to see his best. The Baltimore Ravens are backed into a corner, and the Ravens defense can stop the running game dead in its tracks. If that happens, what then?

In Week 17, the LA Rams need Matthew Stafford to prove that he is more substance than stats. Sure, he’s elevated Cooper Kupp to new heights. Sure, he’s done well so far this season. But in a game where he is facing a hostile crowd and a playoff-like environment, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford needs to prove to himself that he is up for the challenge. In the end, Stafford needs to prove that he belongs in the NFL playoffs.

Not just to the team. Not just to the fans. But ultimately, to himself.