NFL
Why isn’t Matthew Stafford playing for the Rams against the Seahawks in week 18?
The QB has had his fair share of knocks this season. Jimmy Garoppolo will start as the Rams close out the regular season at SoFi Stadium.
The Los Angeles Rams close out the 2024/5 NFL regular season in front of a home crowd at at SoFi Stadium on Sunday having accomplished the first part of their mission.
Last week’s win against the Cardinals means that they have booked their place in the playoffs. The next objective for Sean McVay‘s team is to finish as winners of the NFC West division, which they currently top (10-6).
The playoff picture for the Rams
To do that, they must beat the only team that can stop them. Divisional rivals Seattle head into the game just behind on 9-7 and crucially, with a better point differential (+2 to -14).
Finishing top matters to the Rams as it could be the difference between finishing as No. 3 or 4 seed in the NFC. Victory against Seattle or if the Buccaneers (9-7) lose to the Saints will be enough to make the Rams the No. 3 seed. However, defeat to Seattle and a Buccaneers win would send Los Angles to the No. 4 slot.
The Rams will be without QB1 against the Seahawks, and McVay explained why when he spoke to the press ahead of Thursday’s practice. “Injuries - we’ll just walkthrough today but DNP would have been Rob Havenstein, then Jordan Whittington would be limited. Still working through the specifics of how we’re going to approach it but I can tell you guys that Jimmy Garoppolo will start at quarterback this week - that’ll give Matthew a chance to be able to get some rest“.
Stafford, who has 3,762 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, will be rested for the postseason in which the Rams could potentially face the Vikings, Packers or Commanders in the next round.
Garoppolo joined the Rams as a free agent in March 2024 after being released by the Raiders but has yet to feature in any of the team’s 16 games and didn’t get to play in the preseason either.
When is Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams?
The Week 18 NFL regular season game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Sunday 5 January 2025 with kickoff scheduled for 1:25 p.m. PT / 4:25 p.m. ET.
Viewers in the United States will be able to follow the action live on Fox. The game will also be streamed on FuboTV which offers a free trial, as well as on YouTube TV through NFL Sunday Ticket.
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