He performed 12 seasons within the NFC North earlier than he was traded to the Rams, so quarterback Matthew Stafford isn’t any stranger to cold-weather video games.
On Sunday evening, when the Rams play the Chicago Bears in an NFC divisional-round at Soldier Discipline, game-time temperatures might embrace a wind-chill beneath zero levels.
Stafford, citing historic NFL video games that had been performed in powerful climate, stated on Wednesday that he would embrace the weather.
“There’s one thing to it, proper, that feels proper when soccer’s outdoor, you’re enjoying late within the yr, it’s chilly, it means quite a bit,” Stafford stated, including, “I do know it’s going to be an incredible crowd there, and it’ll be lots of enjoyable.”
Stafford, 37, suffered a sprained proper index finger Saturday towards the Carolina Panthers however nonetheless handed for 304 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception, within the 34-31 wild-card victory.
On Wednesday, he stated that he suffered no residual results within the rapid aftermath, that the finger was feeling “nice” and that it will not have an effect on his capability to grip or throw the ball on Saturday.
“No matter it was there’s gone now,” he stated.
Nonetheless, all eyes might be on Stafford, and the way the finger would possibly have an effect on his efficiency, when the Rams play the Bears in solely the third playoff matchup between the groups.
“Happily,” coach Sean McVay stated, “Matthew’s performed in these situations.”
Stafford stated he would put on a cosy, warming layer below his uniform that he first used with the Lions. Chilly climate doesn’t trouble him, he stated, and every sport requires distinctive changes.
“You may’t simply bunch ‘em all collectively,” he stated, including, “You simply type of determine it out as you go.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford passes towards the Philadelphia Eagles in final season’s NFC divisional playoffs.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
Stafford has a 12-10 profession document towards the Bears. His 22 video games towards them is tied for the second most towards any staff, one behind the Minnesota Vikings.
He has a 5-7 document towards the Bears at Soldier Discipline.
It didn’t go nicely for the Rams and Stafford the final time they performed there. On Sept. 29, 2024, Stafford accomplished 20 of 29 passes for 224 yards, with an interception, in a 24-18 loss. The Rams had the ball with 1:03 left, however the Bears intercepted a cross to seal the Rams’ defeat.
Stafford performed in two cold-weather video games final season.
In late December towards the New York Jets, the wind-chill issue was 14 levels. Stafford accomplished 14 of 19 passes for 110 yards and a landing, with an interception, in a 19-9 victory.
In final season’s NFC divisional-round sport at Philadelphia, with a wind-chill issue of 27 levels, Stafford accomplished 26 of 44 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-22 defeat that ended with the Rams on the Eagles’ 22-yard line and an incomplete cross supposed for Puka Nacua.
Now he faces a Bears protection that ranks poorly in most statistical classes, however leads the NFL with 23 interceptions. The unit additionally recovered 10 fumbles.
“That’s how they’ve thrived,” Stafford stated.
Through the common season, the Bears gave up 24.4 factors and 361.8 yards per sport, which ranked twenty third and twenty eighth, respectively, amongst 32 NFL groups. They had been twenty seventh in dashing protection (134.5 yards per sport) and twenty second in cross protection (227.2)
Veteran security Kevin Byard III had a league-best seven interceptions, cornerback Nahshon Wright 5 and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds 4 for a staff that defeated the Inexperienced Bay Packers 27-24 within the wild-card spherical.
“They’ve acquired a… proficient again finish that catches the ball when it’s of their space,” Stafford stated. “They do a pleasant job up entrance as nicely affecting the pocket.”
The Rams are making ready for Sunday in sunny and heat situations in Woodland Hills. McVay joked that the Rams had been going to get “the most important chilly plunge ever, and all people’s going to see if we will sit in that factor for 3 hours.”
Sizzling or chilly, the preparation would be the identical, in response to Stafford.
“We don’t care what the climate is right here, what it’s there,” he stated. “Simply go play.”
