Ramblin' Fan
FanSided

Rams should warm up QBs Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett in the bullpen

If the Dodgers can do it, the LA Rams ought to give it a try too.

By Bret Stuter

Los Angeles Rams Minicamp
Los Angeles Rams Minicamp / Jayne Kamin-Oncea/GettyImages
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The LA Rams needed a win in Week 7. The difference between a record of 2-4 and 1-5 in terms of postseason probability is significant. The Rams needed the best of every player on the football field. From some players, that happened. But the Rams did not get the best from veteran QB Matthew Stafford. In truth, it was one of the worst games in his NFL career. Ever. And that is a concern.

At the end of the day, Stafford's stats were no better than that of Las Vegas Raiders backup quarterback Garner Minshew. Minshew completed 15 of 34 passes for 154 and three interceptions. Stafford completed 14 of 23 passes for 154 yards and an interception. Nobody expects Minshew to lead the Raiders to the promised land. Everyone believes in Stafford, and is counting on him to lead the Rams in a another odds-defying run to the NFL Playoffs this season.

But the Matthew Stafford who took the football field in Week 7 won't, and perhaps can't.

With the exception of the season opener, Stafford is not having a good year. Not in terms of passing yards. His 154 passing yards against the Las Vegas Raiders was a low point, yes. But so far he's thrown for:

  • @ Detroit Lions - 317 passing yards - 1 TD - 1 INT
  • @ Arizona Cardinals - 216 passing yards - 0 TD - 0 INT
  • San Francisco 49ers - 221 passing yards - 1 TD - 0 INT
  • @ Chicago Bears - 224 passing yards - 0 TD - 1 INT
  • Green Bay Packers - 260 passing yards - 1 TD - 1 INT
  • Las Vegas Raiders - 154 passing yards - 0 TD - 1 INT
  • Stafford 2024 Totals - 1,392 passing yards - 3 TD - 4 INT

Is he hurt? Is he shaken up? By comparison, Staffords six-game totals since arriving to the LA Rams are as follows:

  • 2021 season - 1839 passing yards - 16 TD - 4 INT
  • 2022 season - 1576 passing yards - 6 TD - 8 INT
  • 2023 season - 1677 passing yards - 6 TD - 5 INT
  • 2024 season - 1392 passing yards - 3 TD - 4 INT

Stafford's proficiency is definitely on the downward slope this season. By rights, it was argued that Stafford's resurgence in 2023 was despite the team's record of 3-3 after just six games. So how can we ignore the evidence of a lesser quarterback under center this season?

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