When Matthew Stafford began favoring his right thumb in Sunday afternoon’s matchup against the Cowboys, Los Angeles showed obvious concern. After he later cracked it against the top of Mazi Smith’s helmet, the concern grew and may have even spread.
Not only were the Rams understandably concerned with their franchise QB’s health going forward but some Cowboys fans were concerned as well. Not just for the individual player but for the team going forward.
The Rams are a viable competitor in the NFL this season. With a high-end coaching staff, high-end passing game, and high-end pass rush, they have the ability to upset anyone – especially those within their division.
Playing in the NFC West, Los Angeles has their work cut out for them. They still have games against the 5-3 49ers and the 5-2 Seahawks on their schedule They will be hard-pressed to edge either team out for a playoff spot without a head-to-head victory over one or both.
The Cowboys are currently chasing Philadelphia for the NFC East crown. Whether Dallas wins the division or comes in second, they’ll likely be competing against one of those NFC West teams for postseason seeding.
In other words, they want Seattle and San Francisco to lose games this season and a great way for that to happen is Stafford being under center for the Rams.
Matthew Stafford #RamsHouse
Suffered a right UCL sprain (thumb)
Not partially or fully tornWhile this is actually great news, although he still may not be very accurate in Week 9 due to the swelling & difficult in gripping the ball.
Stafford had this ligament repaired in… pic.twitter.com/CIXPFiCbtC
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) October 30, 2023
According to Adam Schefter on ESPN’s “NFL Live,” Stafford does not have a break, but rather has a torn tendon.
“Matthew Stafford is dealing with a tendon issue in his right thumb that the Rams believe will take a couple days to figure out whether or not he can come back,” Schefter said.
His status for Week 9 is yet to be determined but with a bye week approaching in Week 10, it may behoove him to sit and rest. Because fast approaching right out of the bye week is a matchup with the Seahawks.
While the Rams can ill afford to lose their game in Week 9 against Green Bay, they need to prioritize their divisional games.
More from Sean McVay on Matthew Stafford’s injury, including how/when it occurred. Rams will look into adding to room quickly, McVay also indicated. No concern about previously repaired thumb injury but there is scar tissue and enough swelling to be concerned about gripping ball. https://t.co/DFRuvRu31V pic.twitter.com/GxcwxeLlLZ
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 30, 2023
The Cowboys have a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Rams but don’t against the 49ers, so they would rather Los Angeles beat San Francisco than the other way around.
The Cowboys also have an upcoming game against the Seahawks so they aren’t completely at the mercy of others if they can’t win the NFC East themselves.
Even in the month of October, it’s a game of playoff positioning. The Cowboys want to see all the other NFC playoff hopefuls run into as many speed bumps as possible. And Stafford is one heck of a speed bump.
Homefield advantage is enormous in the postseason and Dallas is currently riding an 11-game home win streak to illustrate how big it is for them these days.
They have to take care of their own business but a little help from others certainly doesn’t hurt. That’s why all Cowboys fans should have a keen interest in Stafford’s thumb.
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