Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams’ hope of winning another Super Bowl ended in the Divisional Round. They lost 28-22 against the Philadelphia Eagles but came quite close to erasing a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Stafford had the opportunity to lead the Rams to a game-winning drive, but he failed to convert on a 4th-and-11. The veteran quarterback made a risky throw to Puka Nacua but was off the mark by a significant distance.
Fans React to Matthew Stafford’s Missed Throw on Fourth Down
Stafford did play well (73.9 QB+ grade, C) despite the weather, but his throw on fourth down drew criticism from fans on social media. Given his experience, the fans felt the Rams star could have made a better decision on the game-deciding play.
Here are some of the reactions to his throw:
Stafford wtf was that throw?!? https://t.co/VYBqieo5FF
— DatBoiBari💎💸 (@datboibari_) January 19, 2025
‘Stafford didn’t even give his receiver a chance,” said one fan.
“Disgusting throw!!!” said another fan.
Mathew Stafford with the Game on the Line pic.twitter.com/TccdAxjejK
— LeBron__legacy 👑 🐐 (@LeBron__legacy) January 19, 2025
“Season on the line, and he throws it 10 yards out of bounds,” wrote a fan.
“Stafford needs to throw to [Cooper Kupp] too. He lost them that game,” said another fan.
4th and Ball Game
Matt Stafford: pic.twitter.com/e8AiZ8gOFE
— Not Robert Griffin (@Pseudo_RGIII) January 19, 2025
Stafford completed 59.1% of his throws against the Eagles for 324 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, with a passer rating of 97.2. He was sacked five times by the Eagles’ defense, including on the penultimate third down by Jalen Carter.
The 36-year-old quarterback is now 5-5 in his postseason career, and the Rams will feel like they missed out on an opportunity to pull off a big upset in Philadelphia. The Eagles will now play the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game, as the two NFC East teams will compete for a trip to the Super Bowl.
The Rams Exceeded Expectations This Season
Not many expected the Rams to be this good this season. They went 10-7 in the regular season and won the NFC West. Stafford and Co. also shocked the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round with a 27-9 win. Sean McVay’s team should be proud of themselves, as apart from the quarterback position, their future looks bright.
The Rams’ young defense finished the season on a high and will continue to get better. With McVay calling the offense, they could remain a perennial Super Bowl contender for years to come. Stafford didn’t get hurt this season, which is a big positive for the team, as he will be fresh next season despite his age (will be 37 on Feb. 7, 2025).
READ MORE: List of All Los Angeles Rams Free Agents in 2025
The two-time Pro Bowler still has two years left on his contract, so the Rams have enough time to find the ideal successor. Whether that comes via the NFL Draft or a trade remains to be seen, but based on how the team operates, McVay could want them to make a run at a veteran rather than a rookie, just like they did with Stafford in 2021.
The Rams are also projected to have $49.3 million in cap space for next season. General manager Les Snead will have considerable flexibility in constructing the roster in 2025, which wasn’t the case in the last few seasons as the team exhausted their assets and salary cap to win the Super Bowl in 2022.