Matthew Stafford reached the playoffs just three times in his first 12 seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. In his first season with the Los Angeles Rams, he is headed to Super Bowl LVI.
Stafford completed 31-of-45 pass attempts for 337 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception in a 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium.
The 33-year-old veteran quarterback has carried the reputation that he cannot win in the playoffs for much of his career, and with the Rams trailing 17-7 to start the fourth quarter it looked like that narrative was primed to resurface.
However, on the third play of the fourth quarter, he hit his favorite target, Cooper Kupp, for an 11-yard touchdown.
The Rams scored a field goal on their next possession to tie the game, and then after forcing the 49ers to punt, Stafford orchestrated a 10-play, 49-yard drive, highlighted by a crucial 25-yard catch-and-run from Kupp on a 3rd-and-3 to set up a go-ahead 30-yard field goal from Matt Gay.
As the score turned final, many football fans expressed their happiness for Stafford finally getting to the Super Bowl.
The Rams become the second-consecutive team in NFL history to host the Super Bowl at their home field. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did so just last year when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
Meanwhile, the Rams will welcome the Cincinnati Bengals to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 13 for the right to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Southern California.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram