Matthew Stafford won’t play against 49ers and he’s not only Rams starter who will sit
Playoff seeding apparently is not as important to the Rams as making sure starters are rested, physically sound and ready for whatever opponent they draw in a wild-card game.
That is how coach Sean McVay’s decision to sit quarterback Matthew Stafford and other starters Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers can be interpreted after McVay announced Wednesday that Carson Wentz would start in place of Stafford.
The Rams (9-7) have clinched a playoff spot and are currently the No. 6 seed. A loss to the top-seeded 49ers (12-4), and a victory by the Green Bay Packers over the Chicago Bears, would cause the Rams to slip to No. 7.
At No. 6, the Rams likely would play at the Detroit Lions. At No. 7, they likely would play the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.
“When you look at the projections, I think they’re excellent teams regardless,” McVay said. “There’s a couple layers to it. And when you look at it, what we just felt like was this approach is the best one for our team.”
The Rams are going to the playoffs without kicker Lucas Havrisik, who was cut Monday after he missed two extra-point attempts in the one-point win over the Giants.
Receiver Cooper Kupp, running back Kyren Williams, defensive lineman Aaron Donald and linebacker Ernest Jones also will sit out against the 49ers, McVay said. Lineman Joe Noteboom will not play because of a foot injury and tight end Tyler Higbee because of a shoulder injury.
Receiver Puka Nacua, who is on the verge of breaking NFL rookie records for catches and yards receiving in a season, will play but is expected to be pulled after achieving the milestones, McVay said.
“I think you’d like him to be able to get an opportunity to do something special, and then be smart with him,” McVay said.
Stafford, 35, has played through hip and right thumb injuries this season. He has passed for 24 touchdowns, with 11 interceptions, and led the Rams to victories in six of their last seven games.
Wentz, 31, signed with the Rams in November, a few days after Brett Rypien played poorly in place of an injured Stafford in a loss to the Packers.
The Rams were looking for a Robert Woods lookalike and crossed fingers they could draft Puka Nacua, and the rookie receiver has delivered a record season.
Wentz played a few snaps in a Nov. 26 victory over the Arizona Cardinals but did not attempt a pass.
The eighth-year pro, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL draft, started for the Washington Commanders in 2022. In eight games, Wentz passed for 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions.
Now he will start for the first time in more than a year.
“I’m excited about Carson’s opportunity,” McVay said. “Obviously a guy that’s had a lot of success in the league. ... When you look at the totality of it, just balancing what do you think is best? And there’s not a perfect solution … this is just what we felt like was the best thing.”
Wentz had an inkling last Sunday night he would play against the 49ers. The Rams had defeated the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks to put the Rams in the playoffs.
“I thought there was a chance whether it was starting or just playing some or whatever,” Wentz said. “I’ve been preparing to be ready in whatever capacity I can help this team anyway, so I’m excited for it.”
NFL Week 18 picks: Both Saturday games, Steelers-Ravens and Texans-Colts, have playoff implications as well as the final game of week, Bills-Dolphins.
Williams, 23, has rushed for 1,144 yards and has scored 15 touchdowns in 12 games. The second-year pro has eclipsed 100 yards rushing six times.
Williams said he would like to play but respects McVay’s decision.
“I still do get to practice,” Williams said. “That’s the most important to me, to get those reps, those looks.”
Nacua is within four catches and 29 yards receiving of establishing NFL rookie records in those categories. Nacua, a fifth-round draft pick, has 101 receptions for 1,445 yards and five touchdowns.
“It’s still mind blowing, but I guess super exciting,” Nacua said. “Just trying to keep that same mind-set, I guess, of everything that helped me to get where I am right here.”
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