Rams’ Cooper Kupp, Sean McVay reveal what makes December Matthew Stafford special

As a general rule, Matthew Stafford is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Now, of course, he doesn’t have the generational stats, the incredible accolades, or even the perception around the NFL as an all-time signal caller. But when push comes to shove and the Los Angeles Rams need someone to step up in a big moment, it’s often the pride of Georgia that does just that.

And in December? Well, that’s when Stafford really shines, as his statistics show year after year.

Asked what he’s seen from Stafford over the last month of the year during his final media session in Week 17, head coach Sean McVay told reporters he’s been very impressed with what he’s seen from his QB, as he has proven himself to be as good as they come.

“I think he’s grasped. I think he has an understanding of where he’s really thinking as a coach. He understands what it takes. How do I have to be able to play this game to help our team? The best thing about Matthew Stafford is that he has all these great numbers and stats that he’s put up and he’s this special quarterback, he wants to win, McVay told reporters.

“I think he understands what it takes, especially in the month when it’s such a critical time for you to be able to try to peak at the right time if you’re going to have an opportunity to enter the tournament. He’s an extension of the coaching staff and I think he makes the critical plays when he needs to. You look at it, great against Buffalo… I don’t think a lot of people make the play he makes to find Colby Parkinson on the seam against San Francisco, where they end up bumping the coverage the wrong way on a move, spot he them. That wasn’t the intention of that piece, but he recognizes it because of the way he can process it. Hopefully (we can) keep calling him Mr. December.”

Does Stafford remain Mr. December on Saturday? Only time will tell, but McVay isn’t the only member of the Rams asked about their QB, as Cooper Kupp was also very complimentary about Stafford this winter.

Cooper Kupp is also impressed with December Matthew Stafford

When asked why Stafford is so good in December, Kupp suggested it could be because of his year in Detroit. Either way, the pride of Eastern Washington is thrilled that he’s the one throwing the ball over a smaller option, as Stafford has proven he’s an elite arm at any time of the year.

“I don’t know. I think it’s just the years of living in Detroit, facing the cold and all the things he has to do in Detroit. It just got to him. I don’t know. We’ve good job over the past few years finding ways to win in these meaningful times.I’ve been really thankful for most of the years that they’ve been meaningful games too.I think it is a nod to the coaches, the guys we have had here, the culture that guys have built here, the process of continuing to grow and continue to get better and knowing that the beginning of the season is not what you have. I think , we’ve done a good job of continuing to grow as players throughout the season.”

Has Stafford gotten hot at the right time? Maybe so, but if things really go LA’s way, fans might have to start calling him Mr. February, as that likely means LA will be parading down Figuroa after another Super Bowl win.