Matthew Stafford has played in 215 regular-season games and eight playoff games during his 15-plus NFL seasons. But the Rams quarterback has played only once against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
It did not go well.
In 2014, while playing for the Detroit Lions, Stafford completed 19 of 46 passes for 264 yards, with an interception, in a 34-9 defeat. His 39.1 completion percentage remains the lowest in his career.
“It was a tough day,” he said Wednesday. “It wasn’t pretty.”
Stafford, however, instantly recounted the statistical picture going into it, the personnel and coverages former Patriots coach Bill Belichick successfully deployed to neutralize Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson, and key injuries that occurred.