“It was a minefield and they beat it all day” Brian Baldinger validates Matthew Stafford’s elite decision making ahead of Super Bowl LVI
Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford has done exactly what has been asked of him in the 2021 season. When the Los Angeles Rams traded Jared Goff and two first-round picks to the Lions for Stafford, they expected a Super Bowl ring. They now just need one more win for that goal to be accomplished.
Coming into the playoffs, there was a lot of doubt surrounding Matthew Stafford due to his shaky performances at the end of the season. 8 interceptions in 4 games typically is a terrifying stat for a playoff team. Stafford, however, wasn’t affected by all the negative noise as he played 3 superb games that brought the Rams back to the Super Bowl for the second time since 2018.
The NFC Championship in particular was Stafford’s toughest test. Up against the 49ers who had beaten him twice in the regular season and forced 4 interceptions in the 2 games. While Stafford was intercepted once, he still provided an absolute clinic in the 3rd matchup, something that Brian Baldinger believes is down to his decision making.
Brian Baldinger credits Matthew Stafford for picking apart the 49ers defense
In a Twitter version of his traditional breakdowns, Brian Baldinger was quoted saying “Championship Sunday was a minefield and DeMeco Ryans set trap after trap and Matthew Stafford didn’t fall into once. He saw these traps before they happened all day long.”
Baldinger further added “It was a minefield thought the day and Matthew Stafford didn’t find it once. One after another. They beat the traps all day. If I’m Cincinnati, I’m taking a long hard look at this.”
While on paper the Bengals defense doesn’t provide as much a threat to Stafford and his offense, it can’t be forgotten that this is the same team that was down big against Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs twice and the defense held him to 3 points in the second half of both games.
They may not have the big names like the Rams but there are solid stars on the field for Cincinnati’s defense that have an extremely high football IQ. These guys will come out with a game plan and be able to adjust to anything to limit an offense.
If Cincy’s defense starts to figure out the Rams offense, Matthew Stafford is going to have to make some critical decisions and very difficult throws. He just proved that he is cool and collected in those situations but under the brightest lights of the biggest stage in the sport, anyone could crumble.
Also read: “I Would’ve Voted for Aaron Rodgers”- Rich Eisen believes the Packers QB deserved the MVP award
Roshan Anand
(278 Articles Published)