Stafford not worried about cold

Rams' star sure his game won't fall into deep freeze

- GARY KLEIN

QUARTERBACK Matthew Stafford suffered a sprained right index finger on Saturday but says the injury won't be a factor in Chicago.

RUSTY JONES Associated Press

He played 12 seasons in the NFC North before he was traded to the Rams, so quarterback Matthew Stafford is no stranger to cold-weather games.

On Sunday night, when the Rams play the Chicago Bears in an NFC divisional-round at Soldier Field, game-time temperatures could include a wind chill below zero degrees.

Stafford, citing historic NFL games that were played in tough weather, said on Wednesday that he would embrace the elements.

"There’s something to it, right, that feels right when football’s outdoors, you're playing late in the year, it’s cold, it means a lot," Stafford said, adding, "I know it is going to be a great crowd there, and it will be a lot of fun."

Stafford, 37, suffered a sprained right index finger Saturday against the Carolina Panthers but still passed for 304 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception, in the 34-31 wildcard victory.