Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford didn’t have his most efficient night statistically, but he delivered when it mattered most.
The Rams knocked off the Bears 20–17 in overtime Sunday night at Soldier Field, earning a trip to the NFC championship game.
Chicago’s defense was a major reason the game stayed close, as it held the league’s No. 1 offense without a passing touchdown.
“I definitely didn’t get into a great rhythm today. There’s no question about that,” Stafford said postgame. “I can be better, but playoff football is about winning the football game. I’m happy to play a little worse today and going home with a win, so we’ll take that.
“I can communicate a little bit better. I got to give Dennis Allen some credit. He did a nice job mixing it up on us. They were able to sniff some (plays) out late, even run wise.”
The Rams made the trip from sunny California to cold, snowy Chicago for the primetime matchup, but both quarterbacks said the conditions didn’t factor into the outcome.
“I wasn’t paying too much attention to what the actual weather was,” Stafford said. “It snowed pretty consistently the entire game it seemed like. It wasn’t the easiest conditions, but we found a way.”
Los Angeles will now head to Seattle later this week to face the Seahawks on Sunday night in the NFC championship game — a matchup that could pit the league’s top offense against its best defense. Lumen Field is expected to provide a raucous environment.
“It’s a huge challenge to go play in Seattle,” Stafford said. “Arguably the toughest place to place in the league.”
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