Matthew Stafford ended the regular season exactly how the Los Angeles Rams hoped he would—calm, dominant, and surrounded by family.

After the Rams’ 37–20 win over the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium, Stafford knelt on the turf, not to recover from a blitz, but to embrace his four daughters—Sawyer, Chandler, Hunter, and Tyler—in a moment that quickly became one of the night’s most memorable scenes.

Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, captured the moment on Instagram, sharing a heartfelt message that resonated with Rams fans everywhere:

“I love this man and his love for his girls.”

Matthew Stafford Balances Family and Football Excellence

Speaking to reporters after the game, Stafford couldn’t hide his smile when talking about his daughters and their growing love for football.

“They are my favorite part of life,” Stafford said. “It’s so cool to have those moments with them before games—doing something I love, that they’ve learned to love and support.”

Stafford even shared a lighthearted anecdote about taking his daughters to team breakfast, where they now recognize Rams players—especially defensive linemen like Braden Fiske.

“They’ll be like, ‘Oh, there’s Braden Fiske,’” Stafford laughed. “I was impressed.”

Those moments, Stafford explained, are what keep him grounded and locked in before kickoff.

Rams Enter Playoffs as NFC’s Most Dangerous Wild Card

While the family moment stole hearts, Stafford’s on-field performance delivered a statement.

The veteran quarterback led a decisive comeback after an early deficit, carving up the Cardinals defense while helping the Rams secure the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs. Along the way, Stafford made history:

Passed Matt Ryan for sixth all-time in career completions

Surpassed Dan Marino for seventh in NFL history in passing touchdowns

Despite the game being technically meaningless in the standings, head coach Sean McVay refused to rest his starters—and Stafford rewarded that decision.

Sean McVay Calls Matthew Stafford the NFL’s True MVP

After the win, McVay delivered glowing praise for his quarterback.

“I think Matthew’s the MVP of the league,” McVay said. “There’s nobody I’d rather have leading the LA Rams.”

McVay’s decision to prioritize momentum over rest paid off, as the Rams looked sharp, confident, and unified heading into the postseason.

Rams Eye Revenge Against Panthers in Wild Card Round

Just weeks removed from a humbling loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Rams now prepare for a revenge-fueled playoff rematch. Depth, health, and confidence will determine how far Los Angeles can go—but the team has clearly found its identity at the right time.

Stafford leaned on key contributors like Tyler Higbee and Terrance Ferguson, embracing the “glue guys” who define playoff football.

“I don’t take any opportunity to play on a Sunday for granted,” Stafford said. “It’s what keeps me coming back.”

Final Takeaway

Whether the Rams make a deep postseason run or exit early, Matthew Stafford delivered exactly what Los Angeles needed—a statement performance, renewed belief, and leadership that resonates beyond the stat sheet.

And before the spotlight shifted to the playoffs, Stafford made sure to share the moment that mattered most—finding his daughters on the sideline.

For the Rams, this is a dangerous time to peak. For Stafford, it’s another reminder of why he keeps doing it.