Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams are still working toward securing homefield advantage in the playoffs, and their historic showdown against the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 16 presents an opportunity to help themselves twice over.
Stafford and the Rams are well aware of the stakes.
They are also in control of their postseason destiny in what has already been a headline-commanding campaign.
Matthew Stafford Sets Tone for Rams-Seahawks
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before facing the San Francisco 49ers.
Stafford and the Rams defeated the Seahawks in Week 11, but that was at home in LA at SoFi Arena. This time, the Rams and their precision offense must contend with the “12s,” Seattle’s raucous home crowd.
Adding to the intensity, the Seahawks and Rams have the same record at 11-3.
“It’s a big one,” Stafford told reporters on December 16. “They all are at this point in the season. And, obviously, we know we’re playing a team that’s had a ton of success this year. It’s a tough place to play. It’s a tough team to play because of who’s on the field and who’s coaching them. We understand that, and this is what you love playing NFL football for.”
“It’s a quick turnaround to get this one going, which is sometimes difficult,” Stafford said. “But we’ll be ready to rock and roll.”
This is actually the first time in NFL history that two 11-plus-win teams will meet on a Thursday.
The Rams are 4-2 this season in outdoor stadiums, and they are 5-2 on the road overall this season. However, the weather forecast also calls for rain and wind gusts up to 11 miles per hour throughout.
Stafford’s play in those conditions, particularly the rain, has been a storyline throughout his career, including last season.
He was 1-8 with low stats entering a playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.
Fittingly, Stafford and the Rams lost that NFC Wild Card contest, which would have sent them to the NFC Championship Game. Getting home-field advantage has been a goal since the outset of the 2025 regular season after how last year ended.
Les Snead Praises Matthew Stafford
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Stafford has performed at an MVP level this season, drawing praise from Rams general manager Les Snead.
“Wow, what a season he’s had,” Snead said on “The Coach McVay Show” on December 16. “And it’s been from start to finish. Coming into camp, and when he was able to finally practice, right, and go, ‘Okay, it is time to go to work,’ and he flipped that switch. And he’s been dialed in, and the offense has been dialed in. And there’s a lot of components to that, right? Offensive line protecting, right? Receivers doing their job, running backs doing things–that’s all in flow. It’s in rhythm. But … it’s fun to watch.
“You got someone like Matthew Stafford, who’s … 37 and playing at the level he’s playing. If you look down on the field, … you wouldn’t think that, ‘Oh, by the way, he’s at the end of his career.’ You would think he’s in the prime of it.”
The key for the Rams is keeping Stafford upright.
Rehab Chamber Returns to Rams Practice
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
Stafford navigated a back injury that sidelined him during training camp this past offseason, with the two-time Pro Bowler rehabbing in an unorthodox fashion, with hopes of speeding up his recovery process. Per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry, the chamber was present on Tuesday.
“The Ammortal Chamber is the Fastest Way To Reset, Recharge, And Rejuvenate The Body, Mind, And Spirit,” the company’s website landing page says.
As long as it is a preventative measure for Stafford, the Rams have nothing to worry about.
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