GANGSTER WRAP

Stafford is at his heart-snatching, soul-stealing best in late rally

- BY GARY KLEIN

ERIC THAYER Los Angeles Times

MATTHEW STAFFORD walked off the field with the ball Saturday after rallying the Rams to a 34-31 win at Carolina despite playing with a hurt finger.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. Matthew Stafford is a first-team All-Pro and a favorite to win the NFL most valuable player award.

He's also an acknowledged soul-stealer and heart-snatcher.

No ballots required.

Stafford proved it again Saturday at Bank of America Stadium. In the moments before Stafford took the field with 2 minutes 34 seconds left in an NFC wild-card game against the Carolina Panthers, he made a casual comment to receiver Davante Adams.

"Let's go snatch these guys' hearts," Stafford said.

Stafford then delivered a trademark drive that ended with a touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson, giving the Rams a dramatic 34-31 victory that sets up a divisional playoff showdown between the Rams and the second-seeded Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

"I've been in that spot a lot in my life," Stafford, a 17th-year pro, said of relishing last-minute opportunities. "Brings a smile to my face because I like being there."

Stafford has made a career of engineering comebacks. So we've seen and heard this act before.

Saturday's performance and his comment to Adams harked to the 2021 season, and a divisional-round victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Stafford put together a winning drive in 42 seconds.