Stafford delivers a fake 300-yard game

Rams QB Matthew Stafford technically threw for 308 yards in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. But 75 yards of that (and his only TD) came via a short throw and long run by WR Cooper Kupp. Outside of that play, Stafford averaged just 5.7 yards per pass attempt. He remains a weak fantasy option. Kupp's long TD beefed up a receiving line that finished at 7-125-1 on 10 targets. TE Tyler Higbee got another 10 targets and caught 7 balls for 46 yards. WR Ben Skowronek checked in 3rd with 8 targets, 6 receptions and 41 yards. And Allen Robinson did just enough to remind us that he's alive.

The Rams are hiring Mike LaFleur as their new OC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. LaFleur replaces Liam Coen, who left Los Angeles after just 1 season to return to his previous post as Kentucky's OC. LaFleur struggled as Jets OC the past 2 years, with both of those teams finishing bottom 8 in both total yards and points. Like Rams HC Sean McVay, LaFleur comes from the Shanahan coaching tree, so there should be plenty of synergy here. McVay will still be running the show, though, so don't expect a big change to the Rams' play calling.

The Rams are expected to pick up QB Matt Stafford's 2023 option bonus and 2024 salary, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. It'll pay Stafford a combined $62 million in guaranteed money. There had been questions about Stafford's football future after a spinal cord contusion ended his 2022 season. He's avoided surgery, though, and is expected to be ready for the offseason program. With HC Sean McVay also returning for 2023, the Rams offense has bounce-back potential with better health and improvements along the offensive line.

Rams HC Sean McVay said Friday that QB Matt Stafford is not expected to need surgery on his spinal cord contusion and should be healthy for the offseason program. There's been some speculation that Stafford's injury could force him to retire, but it at least sounds like McVay expects him to be back for 2023. We'll monitor Stafford's status throughout the offseason.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford has been diagnosed with a spinal cord contusion, HC Sean McVay said after Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. The "indication" is that it's a season-ending injury, McVay added. Stafford was placed on IR this week, knocking him out until at least Week 17. And we'd be surprised if he played in either of the final 2 games for the going-nowhere Rams. We'll see if the injury impacts Stafford's 2023 offseason.

Rams QB Matt Stafford (neck) has been placed on IR. He's out for at least the next 4 games, making Week 17 his earliest possible return. With the Rams sitting at 3-8 and likely to be eliminated from playoff contention by then, we doubt Stafford takes the field again this year. He can be dropped from redraft rosters.