Matthew Stafford’s Playoff Win Comes with Concerns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Matthew Stafford was thrilled about the Rams’ playoff victory on Saturday, yet he couldn’t completely shake off worries about his finger after the game.

Stafford, a top contender for the NFL MVP award, sustained a finger injury while chasing a throw just before halftime. The situation, he admitted, was definitely not “fun.” Following the Rams’ 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, he mentioned that further tests would probably be necessary to figure out the extent of the injury.

“I didn’t know exactly what happened,” Stafford remarked. “It wasn’t enjoyable, that’s for sure. Let’s see what it is,” he added, perhaps trying to stay optimistic despite the uncertainty.

Replays showed that Stafford’s right index finger hit the forearm of DJ Wonnum, a 37-year-old QB who was trying to maneuver the Rams to score before halftime. The impact caused immediate pain for Stafford as he hit the ground.

Afterward, he flexed his hand several times, but on the next play, he still managed to throw a precise pass to Puka Nacua, although it would have been a touchdown had Nacua not dropped the ball.

Stafford ended the game with impressive stats, totaling 304 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Head coach Sean McVay noted that while the person he was signaling to was “furious,” Stafford’s quick recovery during the game helped ease some of the tension around the situation.

“I could see him swinging it,” McVay said. “But he made a really good pitch on the next play, a play that our players would normally make.”

Despite his injury concerns, Stafford seemed optimistic about the next round of the NFL playoffs, hinting that Rams fans shouldn’t be overly worried.

“At least I was able to finish the game and play reasonably well,” he stated. “When the adrenaline kicks in, it’s all about keeping it going, right?”