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

Is Stafford hitting the wall?

If we remove emotions and subjectivity from the equation, there is definitely a trend in these numbers after the first six games of the season. Now the question is: How much of that is the absence of the team's two top wide receivers? Is the reduction in output due to any aches, pains or unreported injuries to Stafford? And most importantly, how much of the drop off is simply coming from Matthew Stafford still competing in the NFL at the ripe ole age of 36 years old?

There may be good reasons for Stafford's struggles this season. He has had just one game throwing to 2023 sensation Puka Nacua, and less than two games throwing to his favorite target, WR Cooper Kupp. So surely that is part of the story.

Or is it?

In 2023, the Rams lost Cooper Kupp for four games to start the season. Instead, he elevated the play of then-rookie WR Puka Nacua, basically not losing a single step in the passing game, as Nacua was every bit NFL-ready. While not nearly as proficient in catching passes, the Rams have rookie WR Jordan Whittington in 2024, a young player who has not been getting much work. He was not targeted once against the Raiders.

But no such instant chemistry has formed this season. The Rams are wisely running the ball, taking pressure off Matthew Stafford, and when that happens, this team wins. But Stafford is not finding the end zone. And that's a concern. With six games into the 2024 NFL season, Stafford has three touchdowns.

Houston, we have a problem.