Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has only thrown two interceptions all season in Week 13 against the Panthers. But in that game, Stafford was intercepted twice and lost a fumble, and he said he was the reason the Rams lost 31-28.
As Stafford prepares to face the Panthers in Saturday’s playoff game, he said he has a responsibility to avoid turnovers.
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“I don’t want to throw it to their team, I think that’s the story of the game,” Stafford said. “We moved the ball well in some areas, made a couple goals in the red zone, did some nice things, ran the ball well and just had turnovers.”
Stafford said no one should take this regular season game too seriously, noting that both teams will have some different players in key areas.
“We’re a different team now than we were back then, they’re healthier now than they were when we played them, so some things are different than what happened when we played them,” Stafford said.
The most notable addition to the now healthier Panthers is cornerback Jaycee Horn, who missed the game against the Rams with a concussion but played in every other game during the regular season and is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Stafford said the Panthers’ defense is better with Horn on the floor.
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“It adds an All-Pro player. I think both of their corners are as good as you’ll see in the league,” Stafford said. “As far as the back end is concerned, this is as good as we’ve seen all year and it’s going to be a good challenge for us.”
The challenge for Stafford is to keep the ball away from the Panthers and avoid a second big upset in Carolina.