Dan Orlovsky makes bold declaration on Matt Stafford's Super Bowl performance

For years, Matthew Stafford was on the outside looking in with the Detroit Lions when it came time for the playoffs. The former No. 1 overall pick had a Hall of Fame career from a statistical standpoint but had one gaping hole in his resume — a Super Bowl ring. On Sunday, Stafford finally won his championship, beating the Cincinnati Bengals with head coach Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams.

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky has been one of Stafford’s biggest supporters of the past year, with the two being teammates in Detroit. On Monday, Orlovsky made a bold declaration about Stafford, calling the quarterback’s performance during the entire playoffs the most clutch stretch he’s ever seen.

“The Rams won the game because of Matthew Stafford,” Orlovsky said. “I honestly believe it’s one of, if not the most clutch stretch of postseason performances by a quarterback, ever. With six minutes to go in the game, I was up in the suite with his wife Kelly Stafford. I literally went up to her shoulder. I put my hand on her shoulder and said ‘it’s going to happen. One drive for the Hall of Fame.'”

After making the claim, Orlovsky went on the defend it with a few stats. He compared it to two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning and ended everything with a mic drop, saying “I was right.”

“The Rams offense scored 11 touchdowns this postseason,” said Orlovsky. “Matthew Stafford accounted for all 11. Nine passing touchdowns and two rushing. Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp in the fourth quarter of the playoffs this year — 12 for 12, 208 yards, two touchdowns, nine first downs. Matthew Stafford is the first quarterback since Eli Manning in 2011 to lead a fourth-quarter comeback in the conference championship and the Super Bowl. I think that secured Eli his Hall of Fame, it did the same for Matthew Stafford. Last year, the Rams threw for 22 touchdowns. Stafford threw for 50 this year.

“The Rams are the only team to win three games by a field goal in a single postseason. Matthew Stafford led all three game-winning drives. Matthew Stafford in the fourth quarter of this postseason — 14 touchdowns, zero interceptions. A month ago I said there was not a person in the NFL, that when the game was on the line, I wanted the ball in their hands more than Matthew Stafford and I said I would bet my life savings on it. I was right.”

Stafford led the game-winning drive for Los Angeles, helping them win by three points. He connected with wide receiver Cooper Kupp for the game-winning touchdown with just under a minute and a half remaining. In what will go down as one of the best final drives in Super Bowl history, Stafford sealed his legacy and probably Hall of Fame spot on Sunday night.