Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will be making his first start for the team in place of Matthew Stafford in the upcoming regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Sean McVay made the decision to rest Stafford, a 16-year veteran, for this game. The Rams, with a record of 10-6, have already secured the NFC West title over the Seahawks, who are 9-7, based on strength of schedule.
Currently, the Rams hold the third seed in the NFC playoff bracket. However, a loss to Seattle combined with a win by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Atlanta would see them drop to the fourth seed. Despite the seeding implications, McVay seems unconcerned about whether the team enters the postseason as the third or fourth seed.
Garoppolo, who signed with the Rams as Stafford's backup last spring, has not seen any playing time this season. The 33-year-old veteran, who previously led the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl 54, missed the first two games of the season due to a suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Stafford has been the starting quarterback for the Rams throughout the season, leading the team to nine wins in their last 11 games and securing a playoff spot for the third time in his four years with Los Angeles. While his passing yards and touchdown numbers are lower than in previous seasons, Stafford has also thrown fewer interceptions and maintained a completion rate above his career average.
Despite a recent offensive slump, including scoring fewer than 21 points in all but one of their last five games, the Rams have managed to secure victories. Stetson Bennett, the team's third-string quarterback and a two-time national championship winner at Georgia, has yet to see any playing time for the Rams after being drafted in 2023.
For more NFL news, visit AP NFL.
