Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cameron DaSilva

Matthew Stafford was exceptional on third down in first year with Sean McVay

The Los Angeles Rams felt like their offense wasn’t reaching its true potential in 2020 with Jared Goff as their quarterback. It’s why they traded him and two first-round picks to the Lions for Matthew Stafford.

The improvement was immediate, and the difference between the Rams’ third-down offense in 2020 and 2021 was undeniable. Warren Sharp put every starting quarterback on a chart that shows their conversion rate on third down and the percentage of their passes that were thrown beyond the first-down line on such plays.

Goff was last in throws beyond the sticks and had the third-worst first-down conversion rate among all quarterbacks last season. Stafford was first in both categories, throwing past the sticks on about 60% of his third-down attempts and converting more than 50% of the time.

According to Pro Football Reference, Stafford had a completion rate of 64.5% with 1,379 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions on third down last season. He averaged 9.8 yards per attempt, which is 2 more yards than he averaged on any other down.

He excelled in third-and-long situations, which allowed the Rams to keep their offense on the field and convert in difficult spots. With Goff the year prior, Sean McVay would often call screens and runs on third-and-long, but he trusted Stafford to make plays when the Rams got behind the chains.

It’s a big reason the Rams were seventh in third-down conversion rate and ninth in total yards last season.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.