When Matthew Stafford takes the field for his first game with the Los Angeles Rams, he’ll be lining up against a team he’s faced plenty of times before. The Rams will host the Chicago Bears in Week 1, a Sunday Night Matchup to kick off the season.
Having spent 12 seasons in the NFC North with the Detroit Lions, Stafford has played against the Bears 20 times. He’s 11-9 in those games with 32 touchdown passes and 23 interceptions, so there will at least be some comfort in knowing his first opponent fairly well.
On NFL Network this week, Stafford said the Bears are a “really talented team” and he’s looking forward to opening the year at SoFi Stadium.
“I opened with them last year in Detroit so I’m used to opening with those guys,” Stafford said. “Obviously a really talented team, a team I’m familiar with. Been playing against them for a long time, so that’ll be something that’s a little bit different playing in a Rams uni against those guys, but I’m just excited to open at home in SoFi where you guys are. It’s a beautiful place so we’re lucky to get to play there.”
The new QB in LA will be on primetime FIVE times in 2021 ✨
Matthew Stafford is looking forward to playing in front of the @RamsNFL fans 🙌
📺: #NFLScheduleRelease LIVE on NFL Networkpic.twitter.com/Ir5oEXn1x1
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 13, 2021
In last year’s opener, the Lions blew a 23-6 lead in the fourth quarter and lost to the Bears, 27-23. Stafford threw for 297 yards with one touchdown and an interception, but the defense allowed two touchdowns in the final three minutes as Chicago scored 21 unanswered in the final quarter.
Hopefully this year’s matchup with the Bears will go a bit better for Stafford and the Rams as they look to start the year 1-0.
