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Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams had a rough outing to begin the 2026 NFL season, falling to 0-1 after a 27-7 loss to Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. Now, the 49ers will look to avoid a 0-2 start in Week 2, returning to Los Angeles to face Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants.
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Stafford couldn’t get much going during the loss to the 49ers. The former Detroit Lions quarterback completed 15-of-25 passes for 155 yards and one interception. But it wasn’t nearly enough to get past Purdy, who completed 25-of-34 passes for 205 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
But with 3:29 remaining in the fourth, and the Rams down 20, coach Sean McVay elected to waive the white flag.
Stafford attempted to go back into the game, but was held back after putting on his helmet. And McVay elected to replace the reigning MVP with backup quarterback Stetson Bennett. The former Georgia Bulldog star got a few throwing plays in during his short stint against San Francisco, completing 2-of-3 passes for 13 yards. He also added nine yards on the ground.
Fortunately for Stafford and Rams fans, the decision by McVay to sub in Bennett was not due to an injury, but because of the situation at that point in the game. And Bennett was able to lead a 10-play, 45-yard drive before running the clock out.
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“Matthew Stafford put on his helmet to go back in the game, but he’s held back,” The California Post’s Michael J. Duarte wrote on X. “Stetson Bennett IV will make his NFL regular season debut.”
Matthew Stafford put on his helmet to go back in the game, but he’s held back.
Stetson Bennett IV will make his NFL regular season debut
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) September 11, 2026
Stafford and the Rams will return home to face the New York Giants in Week 2’s edition of “Monday Night Football” on Sept. 21 at 8:15 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally published September 10, 2026 at 10:43 PM.