Matthew Stafford recently earned MVP recognition from an unlikely person
Matthew Stafford has made a believer out of an unlikely name. Recently, the New York Giants defensive coordinator, Don 'Wink' Martindale, said the veteran quarterback, who is playing the best football of his career of late, deserves to be in the Most Valuable Player conversation. He may not be wrong. "He and Lamar deserve to be […]
Matthew Stafford has made a believer out of an unlikely name.
Recently, the New York Giants defensive coordinator, Don 'Wink' Martindale, said the veteran quarterback, who is playing the best football of his career of late, deserves to be in the Most Valuable Player conversation. He may not be wrong.
"He and Lamar deserve to be up for MVP," Martindale said to the New York Daily News, adding that he is playing at a "Hall of Fame" level.
The praise is quite telling. Stafford has been the primary reason the Los Angeles Rams have postseason aspirations.
How good has Matthew Stafford played?
In December, the 35-year-old quarterback has put together an unbelievable stretch. He has 10 straight touchdown passes without an interception. He also has four games of at least 250 passing yards.
During that stretch, the Rams have gone 3-1.
However, pull the scope further out, and Stafford looks even more impressive. In the last six games, the Rams are 5-1. The only loss came at the hands of the impressive Baltimore Ravens, who appear to be getting hot at the right moment.
And even that loss came in overtime on the road.
To be an MVP-caliber player, it starts by winning. That is all Stafford has done since mid-November.
He also has the stats to back up the praise.
On the year, heading into Week 17, Stafford sits eighth in passing yards (3,648), 10th in touchdowns (23), and fourth in total quarterback rating (65.8).
But to win MVP, players still need more. And that is where Stafford's bid may fall short.
Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, and Brock Purdy remain favorites for the award. Still, that doesn't mean Stafford shouldn't get some consideration for his late-season run.
The Rams (8-7) play the Giants (5-10) on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Stafford will have an opportunity to make his MVP case in front of the man who started the conversation.
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