#Matthew Stafford

#Matthew Stafford

Not only did she cite stats and reasoning behind her decision, but she put fellow analyst and Stafford's friend, Dan Orlovsky, to shame. Although he tried to argue immediately that she was wrong, Kimes didn't stutter and spoke the truth, even though most voters wouldn't have chosen the most qualified candidate and would have gone with whoever they felt had the least chance of winning it again.

The third meeting between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams feels less like a rematch and more like a final exam. These teams split the regular-season series, and the margins were microscopic. Across two games, only one point separated them on the scoreboard (58-57) and only one yard separated them in total offense (830-829). That's not rivalry noise. That's two teams that are almost perfectly matched when they share the field.

The spectacular one-handed catch looked like the kind of play that could only be made with sudden adjustment. A reaction with no thought or practice required. But that's not how it went down for Rams star receiver Puka Nacua. Nacua's fourth-down touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals in the regular-season season finale had its roots in a conversation with quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The Rams are regarded as a Super Bowl contender - but first they have to make the playoffs. Coach Sean McVay's team can clinch a playoff spot if they defeat the Detroit Lions on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The Rams are 10-3, lead the NFC West and hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC. A win over the Lions would guarantee a playoff spot for the seventh time in McVay's nine seasons.

It was December 2020, and the Rams were in the midst of their third run to the playoffs in four seasons under coach Sean McVay. Their opponent: the 0-13 New York Jets. There was seemingly no way the hapless Jets could beat a 9-4 Rams team at SoFi Stadium. But the Rams came out flat and lost, 23-20. On Sunday, the Rams welcome the seemingly hapless New Orleans Saints, who arrive with a 1-7 record.