Matthew Stafford gave Georgia a quarterback connection in the NFL postseason with his steady, experienced performance Monday night.

Stafford marched his Los Angeles Rams down the field flawlessly on their first possession and scored a touchdown en route to a 27-9 victory over Minnesota in a game that was moved to Glendale, Arizona, because of the raging fires in Southern California.

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“There was definitely every excuse there is to come out here and be lethargic and woe is me and all that, but we knew we weren’t playing just for ourselves,” Stafford told ESPN. “(We) played for people at home who needed something to watch and enjoy, and I’m glad we could give them that.”

According to HelloMagazine.com, Stafford’s wife, former Georgia cheerleader Kelly Stafford, has offered to pay for charter buses for fans in California to travel to the game in Arizona.

At least 15 buses will be used, with 750 spaces available for Rams season ticket holders.

The Staffords themselves reportedly own a $22.8 million home in the Hidden Hills neighborhood that they had to evacuate.

Stafford was 19 of 27 passing for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a perfect 6 for 6 for 64 yards and a 5-yard TD pass to Kyren Williams on the first drive as the Rams felt right at home at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium.

Los Angeles, the winner of the NFC West Division, advances to the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs next Sunday at 3 p.m.

The Detroit Lions host the Washington Commanders in the other NFC Divisional Round game next Saturday at 8 p.m.

In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and the Houston Texans travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

The 37-year-old Stafford, in the middle of his 16th season, hinted during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show that he has been thinking more about retirement lately.

“I don’t want to put a time limit on it, but I definitely think about it more now than I did in 2009,” said Stafford, who, in addition to daughters ages 6 and 4, also has twin girls, ages 7. “You know, I have a family. I have small children. I want to make sure I’m there and can be a part of it. I feel like I’m doing a good job during the season and being as present as possible, but I don’t want to miss too much.

“But at the same time I feel like I’m playing at a high level. I love playing this game. I love competing. Hopefully I can stay here a little longer.”

Aaron Rodgers, who has played 249 games, is the only active NFL quarterback to have played more games than Stafford (223).

Stafford, who was sacked 504 times in his career – the seventh-most in NFL history – most recently suffered a spinal cord injury that forced him to miss seven games in 2022.

Jimmy Garappolo is Stafford’s backup, while former UGA quarterback Stetson Bennett serves as the third-team quarterback.

Here’s a look at the Georgia players on the active rosters of the teams remaining in the NFL playoffs. Injured players who cannot play, such as B. Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, are not mentioned:

Houston Texas at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:30 p.m., Saturday

Houston: CB Kamari Lassiter

Kansas City: OLB Malik Herring

Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions, Saturday, 8 p.m

None

LA Rams at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 3 p.m

Los Angeles: QB Matthew Stafford, QB Stetson Bennett, OT Warren McClendon

Philadelphia: DE Nolan Smith, DT Jalen Carter, DT Jordan Davis, DB Kelee Ringo, DB Lewis Cine

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Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, 6:30 p.m

Buffalo: RB James Cook, OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger

Baltimore: LB Roquan Smith, OG Ben Cleveland, LS Nick Moore