Let's be up-front: Stafford is back

Anyone doubting he can lead Rams to Super Bowl isn't paying attention

- BILL PLASCHKE COLUMNIST

ALLEN J. SCHABEN Los Angeles Times MATTHEW STAFFORD after the Rams' 14-9 victory over the Texans.

The back is back.

So is the arm. So are the eyes. So is the savvy. So are the Rams.

After listening to worrywarts spend all summer fretting about a lingering disc injury that sidelined him throughout training camp, quarterback Matthew Stafford took the field Sunday for the first time in a competitive game in seven months and offered a two-word response.

Back off.

He's fine, he's better than fine, he's destined-for-the-Super-Bowl fine, it was predicted in this space last week, it's even more evident now after a season-opening 14-9 victory against the Houston Texans amid a roaring SoFi Stadium filled with a misplaced cheer.

On this afternoon, anyway, this was not the Rams' house, this was Stafford's house.

In becoming only the 10th quarterback in history to throw for 60,000 yards, Stafford missed on only eight of 29 passes, threw for 245 yards and a touchdown, and basically carried the team from the one place everyone figured he was most vulnerable.

Carried them on his back.

"Happy to be where I'm standing right now," said Stafford afterward outside a joyous locker room.

ALLEN J. SCHABEN Los Angeles Times RAMS wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) evades a Houston defender. He finished with 10 catches for 130 yards.