Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
As Matthew Stafford tries to continue a run with the Rams, he says he hasn’t thought about his past playoff shortcomings with the Lions.
Beyond winning his first two career playoff games, Matthew Stafford has nearly played in as many playoff games this year with the Los Angeles Rams (two) as he did in 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions (three).
As the narratives are driven praising Stafford and pointing a finger at the Lions for wasting his talent, he is trying to rewrite the narrative of his career while remaining in the present moment.
But naturally, heading into Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers with the possibility of playing in the Super Bowl in his new home stadium, Stafford was asked why the Lions never made it as far as the Rams have this postseason.
Via Pro Football Talk:
“I haven’t thought too much about it to be honest with you,” Stafford said, via quotes distributed by the team. “I’m just trying to make sure that I’m in the present, being kind of where my feet are planted, and taking care of business here. I had a great time, a great run there. I loved playing there for 12 years, but I’m in this place now and enjoying the opportunity to be a part of this team and see where we can take it. So, that’s kind of where I’m at the moment.”
Stafford’s words to come off as cliche’. But he’s also not going to say–“I played for three full-time head coaches in Detroit, and we had two GMs who (outside of a few hits) didn’t do all that well in the draft or free agency.” That would be the blunt assessment, but what’s the point of doing that?
That’s not say Stafford was without fault. He had four touchdowns and three interceptions in those three Lions’ playoff setbacks, with a passer rating less than 88.0 twice. But he’s focused on right now, as he should be, and paying off a deep playoff run on a better team.