The view was totally different from up there.
On a makeshift stage in the midst of the sphere at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Matthew Stafford regarded out at a world that may by no means see him the identical once more.
13 years into his profession, he was lastly a winner.
A yr to the day of his commerce to the Rams, Stafford superior his group to the Tremendous Bowl.
“I don’t know that I ever considered what I might be feeling at this second,” Stafford mentioned. “I most likely simply sat there and simply wished I could possibly be in these video games.”
When the NFC championship sport was over, when the Rams closed out their 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Stafford’s spouse ran onto the sphere and leaped into the quarterback’s arms.
“She’s fired up,” Stafford mentioned.
They weren’t in Detroit anymore.
Stafford didn’t win a single playoff sport in his 12 seasons with the Lions however has now gained three within the final three weeks.
Per week after organising Matt Homosexual’s profitable subject objective in Tampa Bay with a 44-yard go to Cooper Kupp, Stafford accomplished 5 passes to steer the Rams down the sphere and place Homosexual to transform his newest tiebreaking kick.
“We speak about aggressive greatness on a regular basis, being your greatest when the perfect was required,” coach Sean McVay mentioned. “He embodied aggressive greatness at present.”
In change for the chance to redefine his profession, the previous reputed loser delivered the Rams an important victory in franchise historical past by passing for 337 yards and connecting with Kupp for 2 touchdowns.
The importance of the sport was seen within the purple that painted the stands at SoFi Stadium, notably behind the top zones and within the higher decks. There gave the impression to be extra 49ers followers than there have been Rams followers Sunday, the remnants of the NFL’s determination to vacate this market for greater than 20 years.
The gradual strategy of profitable over Los Angeles begins with wins like this, because the Rams are sure to learn from the two-week buildup to the Tremendous Bowl that will likely be staged within the metropolis.
The prospect of taking part in in a Tremendous Bowl they have been internet hosting was what prompted the commerce for Stafford within the first place.
“We went out and received him as a result of we thought it was an opportunity to have the ability to get a fantastic participant of his magnitude,” McVay mentioned. “These issues don’t come round typically.”
Along with swapping quarterbacks, the Rams despatched the Lions two future first-round draft picks.
Stafford offered the Rams with the quarterback improve they envisioned, making throws predecessor Jared Goff couldn’t make and profitable video games Goff couldn’t win.
“He’s elevated everybody round him,” McVay mentioned. “He’s made me a greater coach. He’s made his teammates higher.”
However questions remained.
Stafford had no alternative however to take dangers when he was with the talent-deprived Lions. Their solely probability was for Stafford to do one thing spectacular.
The change in surroundings didn’t end in a change of mindset, as Stafford continued playing by throwing the ball over the center of the sphere, leading to some premature turnovers.
Would the method backfire within the playoffs?
It did on the Rams’ first sustained drive Sunday.
With the ball on the 49ers’ three-yard line, Stafford tried to power a ball to Kupp, who had defensive again Ok’Waun Williams on his again. Williams caught his left hand between Kupp’s arms and deflected the ball to security Jimmie Ward.
Interception.
Coming into the fourth quarter, the Rams have been down 17-7. An 11-yard go to Kupp early the fourth diminished the deficit to 17-14.
On the Rams’ subsequent drive, Stafford misfired on a deep ball, throwing it proper at 49ers security Jaquiski Tartt — just for Tartt to drop it. The 49ers paid dearly for the error, as Stafford linked up with Odell Beckham Jr. for 29 yards — a private foul by the 49ers added 15 yards to the acquire — and Kupp for 16. Homosexual’s 40-yard subject objective tied the rating with 6 minutes 53 seconds remaining.
“He had that look in his eyes all sport,” Beckham mentioned of Stafford. “He motivated us. He pushed us. One play at a time. He drove us down. And he’s been doing that every one postseason. All season, actually, since I’ve been right here.”
The deciding drive began with 6:26 on the clock. Stafford accomplished brief passes to Van Jefferson, Kendall Blanton and Beckham, then hit Kupp on a slant for 25 yards to advance the ball into the purple zone.
Homosexual kicked the Rams into the Tremendous Bowl 4 performs later.
“Very long time coming,” Stafford mentioned. “Spent a whole lot of years on this league and I’ve beloved each minute of it. I really feel blessed to have the ability to play on this league for so long as I've, however I certain am blissful for this chance for not solely myself however actually so many guys in that locker room that deserve this too.”
Three years in the past, Goff additionally gained this sport. He additionally performed in a Tremendous Bowl.
The Rams are actually relying on Stafford to do in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals what Goff couldn’t in opposition to the New England Patriots: win the ultimate sport of the season.
Think about what the view from that stage can be like.
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