The Los Angeles Rams came into Week 13 looking like the clear team to beat in the NFC. But, after a 31-28 loss to the Carolina Panthers, things look a little bit different.
Matthew Stafford was one of the main reasons why this game ended in a loss for the Rams, as he threw his first interception since Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and one drive later threw a back-breaking pick-six.
Finally, on the last drive of the game, Stafford was sacked and fumbled the ball, losing the Rams the game and dropping them to 9-3. But, despite his rough week, ESPN analyst Ben Solak is urging fans not to panic with Stafford.
Rams fans urged not to panic with Matthew Stafford
"Three turnovers will spoil anyone's effective offensive day, but this game was not an alarm bell." Solak writes. "Not by a long shot."
Stafford had three turnovers, all brutal in different ways. His first interception came at the red zone, his second was a pick-six, and his lone fumble effectively lost the Rams the game.
There's no sugar coating it: Stafford's mistakes cost the Rams this Week 13 matchup against the Panthers. However, outside of those three blunders, Stafford was good once again.
More: Matthew Stafford turnovers: Rams QB's miscues doom Los Angeles in loss to Panthers
Solak pointed out how the Rams didn't see a fourth down in the entire first half, which includes field goals, punts, or any fourth-down attempt.
Add on that the Rams' 58% offensive success rate was the 12th-best offensive performance of the season for any team, and it's hard to view the outcome of Week 13 as a reason to panic.
Stafford is still an MVP candidate, the Rams are still a top NFC contender, and there's no reason to panic just yet.
If these turnover issues continue into the following weeks, then it might be time to be concerned. But in a rainy Week 13 game against a Panthers team that plays everyone hard, there's no reason to panic with Stafford.
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