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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke for many fans when he called quarterback Matthew Stafford “such a damn stud” after Sunday’s 27-24 comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Albert Breer of the MMQB relayed the comment from McVay awarding Stafford a game ball in the locker room.
Stafford threw for 221 yards and a touchdown, numbers that don’t exactly jump out at you, but the two-time Pro Bowler was without his two best wide receivers (Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua) and was behind an offensive line that was missing three starters (Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom).
Los Angeles was the clear underdog entering Week 3, and San Francisco looked set for an easy win when it took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Instead, the Rams battled back despite having many key players injured.
Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPN
This was a cultural success for the #AriesDespite serious injuries at the beginning of the year, there is now a long-standing tradition of comeback football under Sean McVay.
Stafford was instrumental in the equalizer late in the fourth quarter. His 50-yard pass to Tutu Atwell put the offense in a first-and-goal situation.
Then the veteran signal-caller was smart enough to test 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell on a throw that resulted in pass interference and sent the ball downfield 25 yards, eventually giving Joshua Karty a chip shot for a game-winning field goal.
David Lombardi @LombardiHe himself
I just rewatched the game. The 49ers haven’t been this bad on defense since 2018 – before they signed true edge rushers. The coverage was abysmal, and by lining up De’Vondre Campbell in perimeter coverage 25 yards downfield at the crucial moment, they practically asked Stafford to…
Stafford is now bound Drew Brees is the fifth-most fourth-quarter comeback player of all time (36). He seems to thrive in adversity and regularly shows his strength in critical moments.
Thanks in particular to the 36-year-old, Rams fans now firmly believe that the team can make it to the playoffs despite the many injuries.
