The Los Angeles Rams were impressive when they rolled the Minnesota Vikings to advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Their defense, which sacked Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold nine times, was very impressive, and L.A. signal-caller Matthew Stafford was solid himself, going 19-for-27 and throwing two touchdown passes.
But the Rams now face a very stiff test when they play the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, and it is expected to snow on game day.
That weather forecast is bad news for Stafford, who is 1-8 and has played very poorly in snowy conditions over the years, according to Dov Kleiman.
Yikes: #Rams QB Matthew Stafford is AWFUL when playing in snow games:
• 1-8 record
• 54.6 completion %
• 11 interceptions
• 76.0 passer rating in these games.It’s expected to snow in Philly…😬 pic.twitter.com/7seos69k6y
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 18, 2025
Snowy weather is considered true football weather, especially come playoff time, and a number of otherwise good-to-great quarterbacks simply can’t maintain their usual level of play in such conditions.
That seems to apply to Stafford, who has a 54.6 percent completion rate with 11 interceptions and a passer rating of 76.0 in those nine snow games.
Stafford is from Florida and played high school football in Texas, and though he played 12 seasons for the Detroit Lions in a very harsh winter climate, the team has long played at Ford Field, which is a domed stadium.
He led the Rams to a Super Bowl championship just three years ago in his first year with them, and after they had a dismal 2022 campaign, they quickly bounced back thanks to some excellent drafting.
Young stars such as running back Kyren Williams, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive end Kobie Turner and rookie linebacker Jared Verse have replenished a team that was getting thin and long in the tooth.
Even if Los Angeles loses this game, its immediate future should be bright as long as Stafford, who turns 37 years old early next month, stays healthy and continues to play at a high level.
