The Gamble Is Paying Off

By: Mike Rifkin

This past offseason the Los Angeles Rams decided to go all in, and that has led them all the way to the NFC Championship Game. On Sunday the Rams defeated the reigning Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27. And all three of the major additions had a major impact in the win.

Matthew Stafford, who was acquired in the offseason from Detroit in exchange for Jared Goff and two first round picks, had a really good season but struggled with turnovers down the stretch. But the acquisition of Stafford would not be judged until the playoffs. In the Wild Card Round against the Cardinals Stafford didn’t have to be his best but he did go 13-17 for 202 yards and two touchdowns. On Sunday against the Bucs Matt Stafford had to be at his best and he was going 28-38 for 366 yards and two touchdowns, he also had a rushing touchdown. After the Bucs rallied to tie the game Stafford had 42 seconds to go down the field. And he did in two pass plays to Cooper Kupp, the NFL’S leading receiver, which led to a Matt Gay game winning field goal. 

Odell Beckham who was signed as a free agent after the Browns released him has found a home with the Rams. On Sunday against the Bucs Beckham had six catches for 69 yards and averaged 11.5 yards per catch. For the Playoffs Beckham has 10 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. In the regular season Beckham had 27 receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns. Beckham’s role got bigger once Robert Woods tore his ACL and Beckham has stepped up.

At the NFL trade deadline the Rams made another major splash trading 2022 second and third round picks to the Denver Broncos for Von Miller. Miller was the Super Bowl 50 MVP, had four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble Sunday against the Bucs. Miller in 2 games this playoffs has 10 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble. Miller may not be the same player he was during his Broncos days but his presence alone helps Leonard Floyd and Aaron Donald create pressure on quarterbacks. 

The only thing standing in the way of the Rams going for their second Super Bowl appearance in four seasons are their division rival the San Francisco 49ers. A team the Rams have lost to six consecutive times and wouldn’t be in the playoffs had they not come back from a 17-0 deficit to beat the Rams in week 18. If the Rams are going to win the NFC Championship the guys that they went all in with have to be major factors and if they are, the gamble has paid off.