The Los Angeles Rams will rest quarterback Matthew Stafford this weekend. After the team clinched a playoff spot, the Rams will take it easy on their star quarterback before Wild Card Weekend.
Los Angeles will instead start veteran quarterback Carson Wentz in their Week 18 game against the San Francisco 49ers. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported this news on Wednesday.
“The Rams will start Carson Wentz at QB Sunday against the 49ers,” Garafolo said. “Sean McVay gives Matthew Stafford a breather before the postseason while Wentz gets his first start in just over a calendar year.”
The #Rams will start Carson Wentz at QB Sunday against the #49ers, sources say. Sean McVay gives Matthew Stafford a breather before the postseason while Wentz gets his first start in just over a calendar year. pic.twitter.com/iaVM2xJFI8
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 3, 2024
Given that the Rams clinched and that they can only play as the 6 or 7 seed, this decision makes sense. The Rams know they’ll have to go on the road in the postseason to either face Dallas or Detroit. They can’t make up ground to get the 5 seed with seven losses to Philly’s five. So, put in a corner, the Rams will rest Stafford and give the ball to Wentz instead. All things considered, it’s a sound and rational decision by Sean McVay and the Rams coaching staff.
Wentz hasn’t seen much action if at all, this season. So it will prove interesting to see how he plays. The 49ers hold an edge with the 1 seed, so they might play a bit off guard. Time will tell to see how it all shakes out.
