Matthew Stafford He has played in 215 regular season games and eight playoff games during his 15-plus seasons in the NFL. But the Rams quarterback has played just once against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
It didn’t go well.
In 2014, while playing for the Detroit Lions, Stafford completed 19 of 46 passes for 264 yards, with one interception, in a 34-9 loss. His completion percentage of 39.1 remains the lowest of his career.
“It was a tough day,” he said Wednesday. “It wasn’t pretty.”
Stafford, however, instantly recounted the statistical picture, personnel and coverages that former Patriots coach Bill Belichick successfully deployed to neutralize Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson and the key injuries that occurred.
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“Other than that,” Stafford joked, “I don’t remember anything.”
On Sunday, Stafford returns to Gillette Stadium looking to lead a Rams rebound from his Defeat 23-15 against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night. Stafford completed 32 of 46 passes for 293 yards with one interception. It was only the second time since the Rams acquired him in 2021 that they didn’t score a touchdown. He has thrown nine touchdowns with seven interceptions this season.
Stafford still needs a touchdown pass to take sole possession of 10th place on the NFL career list. He is tied with Eli Manning with 366.
While Stafford will be playing at Gillette Stadium for the second time, this will be Sean McVay’s first experience there as a head coach. Nine years ago, McVay made the trip as Washington’s offensive coordinator.
As was Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s custom, he walked onto the field with Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” playing throughout the stadium. The song includes the lyrics: “Let me reintroduce myself.”
“Brady comes out… and you’re thinking, ‘Oh man,’” McVay said. “It was impressive.”
The Patriots won 27-10.
Stafford and McVay are aiming for better results on Sunday. It will be a challenge, however, as the offensive line will likely reshuffle again after a poor performance against the Dolphins.
The rams He had been encouraged heading into that game because center Jonah Jackson, left guard Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom were returning from injuries that sidelined them for seven games. Stafford was sacked four times, however, multiple passes were deflected and the running game was ineffective.
“You have to acknowledge the fact that 60% of our guys that were there hadn’t played football in months,” McVay said, adding: “You always try to simulate those things in practice environments, but it’s very difficult. . .. I know the guys are competing the best they can, but there are some things we hope for better.
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“And you also look at yourself and ask, ‘Are we doing exactly the right thing?’ Although if we think that, let’s learn from it and apply it in the future.”
McVay said right tackle Rob Havenstein could be sidelined again with an ankle injury that forced him out of the game against the Dolphins. Noteboom, who started in Havenstein’s place, aggravated the ankle injury that had him on injured reserve and was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday’s injury report. McVay indicated there was a possibility that second-year pro Warren McClendon Jr. could start against the Patriots.
The Rams have yet to play a center with a projected line that includes Alaric Jackson at left tackle, Avila at left guard, Jonah Jackson at center, Kevin Dotson at right guard and Havenstein at right tackle.
Will there ever be a day when the Rams unveil their projected line?
“Your guess is as good as mine,” McVay said, adding: “It has certainly been unique and challenging circumstances. “That’s certainly what you hope for, but here we are, 10 weeks in, and it seems like you’re getting more resilient to handle it.”
This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.