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The veteran quarterback has been revived by the energy of his talented young teammates.
The budding young stars have gained focus and a work ethic from their quarterback’s wealth of knowledge and experience.
The Los Angeles Rams have morphed into a Super Bowl contender behind the play of Matthew Stafford, who has never looked better while producing as well as any signal caller all while in his 17th season.
But it is a defense behind a pair of high-motor edge rushers in Jared Verse and Byron Young that has turned the team into a well-rounded force, while leading tackler Nate Landman has been the ideal addition at linebacker to a group that is second in the NFL with 17.2 points allowed per game.
There is more proof that Stafford has not operated in a vacuum. Puka Nacua has continued his climb to the top of the wide receiver heap with the third-most receptions in the NFL at 72, while fellow wideout Davante Adams has a league-best 10 TD receptions.
Running back Kyren Williams continues to grow with 750 rushing yards and six TDs, while second-year back Blake Corum is getting better as well.
And the Rams’ secondary has benefited from the monster pass rush with 10 interceptions to stand as one of seven teams with double-digit picks.
Head coach Sean McVay has once again stayed ahead of the curve with three-tight end sets on offense that have expanded the passing game, although the most veteran performer at the position, Tyler Higbee, just hit injured reserve.
The Rams still have a plethora of talent at tight end in Davis Allen, Colby Parkinson and rookie Terrance Ferguson. All of that ability was McVay’s inspiration for getting as many of them on the field as possible.
In addition to Higbee going on IR this week with an ankle injury, safety Quentin Lake (elbow) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle, knee) also were designated to miss at least four weeks.
Injuries might be the only thing preventing the Rams from a deep playoff run, especially with the passing game. When the Rams had injuries at the start of each of the past two seasons, they struggled early. As both seasons progressed, and health improved, they were able to put together runs that led to unlikely playoff berths.
Going back further to 2022, Stafford was the one who was injured, missing eight of the last nine games as the team collapsed with a 5-12 record. It was the worst campaign in the eight previous seasons McVay has been the head coach in Los Angeles.
This week, the Rams are on a collision course with the memories of that 2022 season, which McVay considered a time for personal growth.
“It was a really challenging time (that) revealed a lot of insecurities and shortcomings that I had and really had for a long time,” McVay said in a media conference call this week. “It just wasn’t revealed because we didn’t have the results that exposed some of the things that I needed to work on. … It forces you to look in the mirror and say, “What am I all about?’”
With Stafford out that season and losses piling up, the Rams added Baker Mayfield, who had been cut loose by the Carolina Panthers.
Against all expectations, McVay and Mayfield formed a partnership that led to two victories down the stretch. One of those was a two-touchdown comeback in the final 3:19 of a primetime game against the Las Vegas Raiders that helped revive Mayfield’s career.
Mayfield said the short stint in L.A. was “pivotal in my journey.” He ended up signing with the Buccaneers in the offseason and was named to consecutive Pro Bowls in his first two years at Tampa Bay.
“It helped me to find the fun in football again, that joy,” Mayfield said this week. “And just getting to learn from those (coaches).”
A two-time Super Bowl participant and champion after the 2021 season, McVay also seemed to turn a corner that season. He has his team back toward the top again with his new outlook.
Seeing Mayfield as the opponent this week will be a reminder of the roller-coaster ride it has been.
If 2022 was a valley for McVay and the Rams, 2025 has been a continued ascent for a coach and a quarterback in Stafford that know what it takes to win.
It has been a process, but the Rams are indeed feeling young again.
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