Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford Honored For Tremendous November
You would think that after 17 seasons in the NFL, a Super Bowl ring, and enough passing yards to practically reach the moon, Matthew Stafford would have a trophy case overflowing with “Player of the Month” honors. It feels like a glitch in the matrix, but up until now, the veteran gunslinger had never actually claimed the NFC Offensive Player of the Month award.
That finally changed this Thursday. The NFL announced that Stafford took home the hardware for November. Will he keep it going in December and beyond?
A Vintage Month For Stafford
November wasn’t just “good” for the Los Angeles Rams quarterback; it was a statistical avalanche that reminded everyone why he has one of the most feared arms in league history. At a point in his career where most quarterbacks are looking for a comfortable broadcasting booth, Stafford is out here playing some of the best football of his life.
Let’s look at the damage he caused: Stafford led the Rams to a scorching 4-1 record in November. He completed nearly 67% of his passes, racked up 1,207 yards through the air, and tossed a ridiculous 15 touchdowns against just 2 interceptions.
To put that in perspective, he was throwing touchdowns at a rate that felt like he was playing Madden on rookie mode. The highlight was a streak of 28 consecutive touchdown passes without a single pick, an NFL record, before that streak finally snapped. When you are setting league records in year 17, you aren’t just “managing the game;” you are dictating it.
The MVP Race Heats Up
This surge in production has done more than just pad the stat sheet; it has vaulted Stafford right into the thick of the MVP conversation. The narrative right now is fascinating, setting up an “Old Guard vs. New Blood” showdown. The race has seemingly narrowed down to Stafford and New England Quarterback Drake Maye.
While the Rams hit a speed bump with a tough 31-28 loss to the Panthers to end the month, Stafford’s individual brilliance has kept Los Angeles (9-3) firmly in the hunt for the NFC’s top seed. He currently leads the entire NFL with 32 touchdown passes on the season.
Adapting and Thriving
What makes this run even more impressive is how Stafford has navigated the changing landscape of his offense. The departure of his longtime safety blanket, Cooper Kupp, to Seattle could have derailed a lesser quarterback. Instead, Stafford has developed instant, terrifying chemistry with Davante Adams. Adams is currently leading the league with 14 receiving scores, proving that Stafford doesn’t just rely on a system. He elevates whoever is running routes for him.
As the Rams prepare to head to Arizona to face the Cardinals, they do so with a quarterback who is playing with a chip on his shoulder and a hot hand. It took nearly two decades for the league to give him this specific monthly honor, but if Stafford keeps spinning the ball like this, he might be trading that monthly plaque for a much bigger MVP trophy come February.
