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Facing the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., has been called intimidating, especially during New England’s heyday. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)
Matthew Stafford has played in 215 regular-season games and eight playoff games during his 15-plus NFL seasons. But the Rams quarterback has played only once against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
It did not go well.
In 2014, while playing for the Detroit Lions, Stafford completed 19 of 46 passes for 264 yards, with an interception, in a 34-9 defeat. His 39.1 completion percentage remains the lowest in his career.
“It was a tough day,” he said Wednesday. “It wasn’t pretty.”
Stafford, however, instantly recounted the statistical picture going into it, the personnel and coverages former Patriots coach Bill Belichick successfully deployed to neutralize Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson, and key injuries that occurred.
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“Other than that,” Stafford quipped, “I remember nothing.”
On Sunday, Stafford returns to Gillette Stadium looking to lead a Rams rebound from their 23-15 defeat by the Miami Dolphins on Monday night. Stafford completed 32 of 46 passes for 293 yards with an interception. It marked only the second time since the Rams traded for him in 2021 that they did not score a touchdown. He has passed for nine touchdowns with seven interceptions this season.
Stafford still needs one touchdown pass to take sole possession of 10th place on the NFL’s career list. He is tied with Eli Manning at 366.
While Stafford will play 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 came onto the field with Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” ringing through the stadium. The song includes the lyric,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/matthew-stafford-sean-mcvay-know-110003759.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-11-14 11:00:03
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