THOUSAND OAKS, California – Matthew Stafford loves indulging himself with candy potato casserole, mashed potatoes, turkey, and pecan cake on Thanksgiving.
For 12 seasons, the Professional Bowl quarterback loved the seemingly excellent trip routine.
He would dress for a lunchtime prelude because the Detroit Lions hosted an annual Thanksgiving Day sport, then come house round 5 p.m. for a hearty meal and watch the ultimate NFL sport that night time.
“Felt nearly like a fan there or had a bit of household on the town,” recalled Stafford earlier this week. “We went again inside and ate and ate dinner and all of these issues and it was nice enjoyable having the following few days off. You can eat leftovers and do all these humorous issues. “
Stafford wasn’t positive what to anticipate from his household’s first Thanksgiving in Southern California with out an NFL sport, however one factor the Los Angeles Rams quarterback knew for positive: the leftovers have been seemingly off the desk by the point you checked out Sunday’s sport ready in opposition to Aaron Rodgers and the Inexperienced Bay Packers (8-3) at Lambeau Discipline (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox).
“In any case, we’ve got to take it simple, which is tough to do,” stated Stafford with a chuckle. “However , you need to make small sacrifices.”
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Small sacrifices, in truth, for what the Rams are hoping for is a major turnaround in opposition to a Packers workforce that knocked them out within the divisional playoffs final season.
Stafford, who got here to LA by way of a blockbuster commerce within the low season, wasn’t a part of final season’s disappointing 32:18 loss however has his personal troubled historical past in opposition to his former division enemy. Stafford is 7-13 in opposition to the Packers, 4-12 head-to-head in opposition to Rodgers and 3-7 at Lambeau Discipline, although he nonetheless calls the historic venue one among his favourite spots within the NFL.
“I really like enjoying there within the snow,” stated Stafford. “As a toddler, you dream of enjoying the Packers within the snow at Lambeau Discipline.”
The present forecast for Sunday at Inexperienced Bay is partly cloudy and 36 levels, maybe not the dreamy situation for Stafford, however undoubtedly a welcome one for a 7-3 Rams workforce which have had a bye and reverse a two-game loss should by which Stafford threw 4 interceptions, the variety of picks he threw within the first eight video games of the season.
All 4 of the newest interceptions have been thrown within the first half, and every was transformed into touchdowns by their opponents, digging the Rams in sizable holes.
“Once you take a look at it, what actually stands out is that he performed nice soccer in these 10 video games,” stated Rams coach Sean McVay of Stafford. “There have been a couple of issues currently which are inconsistent with the best way he performs.”
Stafford pointed to gross sales margin as a straightforward method to flip wealth round. The Rams are 7-0 in the event that they win the battle, 0-3 in the event that they lose.
Matthew Stafford needs to be extra choosy about his Thanksgiving leftovers as that is the primary time he is scheduled to be enjoying on the vacations. Cary Edmondson / USA TODAY Sports activities
“I wish to do a greater job in each single sport, in each single sport, in each single scenario, and attempt to make the suitable determination,” stated Stafford, who admitted after dropping to the Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers that he was Tried to be too aggressive in some situations leading to lack of the ball as a substitute of throwing the straightforward move. “From a private standpoint, that is what I concentrate on probably the most.”
Regardless of the current troubles, Stafford nonetheless holds the No. 1 quarterback score within the NFL at 67.9, throws 24 landing passes with eight interceptions, and brings the Rams averaging 27.1 factors per sport, putting them in fourth place League stands.
“He does such a very good job of being constant but in addition making some huge throws and performs, as he has performed all through his profession,” stated Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Rams. “I simply choose his spots to actually perceive when to possibly push the boundaries of a choice, and belief his means to make some throws out of slim home windows as a substitute of checking the ball, throwing completions, drives to a very good one Begin making – all these items that it’s essential permit the fidelity of our offense to one way or the other maintain on. “
It’s unsure what precisely Sunday’s offense will appear like as McVay continues to tweak his scheme after injuring # 2 receiver Robert Woods on the finish of the season, who tore his left cruciate ligament previous to week 10 and has been on for temporary durations , medium and very long time was reliant on routes and serves as an occasional menace from the backcourt.
“It is a collective group that has a few of these duties,” stated O’Connell, “whereas understanding how we’d have to regulate and the way our offensive may look now in comparison with a participant like Robert.” Forest.”
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Cooper Kupp stays the NFL’s lead receiver with 1,141 yards and 10 touchdowns, headed the NFL with Mike Evans of Tampa Bay. The sophomore professional, Van Jefferson, has change into a trusted goal for Stafford, and Odell Beckham Jr., signed by the Rams earlier this month, is shortly choosing up the offensive. McVay stated he anticipated to see loads of him on Sunday.
“I have been actually impressed with what he is gotten to grips with,” stated Stafford of Beckham, who caught two passes for 18 yards in opposition to the 49ers earlier than the bye.
McVay, an early entrance runner for the NFL’s Most Worthwhile Participant, expressed confidence that Stafford can be again in form because the Rams put together for the seven remaining common season video games and playoffs.
“He is an amazing participant,” stated McVay. “I believe he’ll play rather well for us on the monitor.”
