Los Angeles Rams vs. Dallas Cowboys divisional playoffs: Jared Goff’s proving ground is finally here

Regardless of what happens on Saturday between the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys, the offseason will bring discussions about the future of QB Jared Goff.

Is he worth a fat contract extension in the range of $30m a year, or will the Rams move on after his rookie contract expires in two years?

Make no mistake. This game more than any thus far will drive that discussion.

If his performance is similar to the Monday Night Football classic vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, then I, like many others, will be full-steam ahead on the Goff hype train. However, if Goff is off, we’re in for a long offseason.

That’s how high the stakes are for this game for Jared.

A primetime game at home in the playoffs isn’t asking too much of the third-year quarterback. In fact, it’s expected of him. A QB that would be 0-2 in the playoffs, even if he threw for 4,688 yards and 32 touchdowns, isn’t going to have the leverage to ask for a record breaking contract in this market.

Right now, Jared Goff needs this win to be taken seriously as a superstar in the NFL.

Statistically, Goff had a great season that rivaled New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees and Los Angeles Chargers QB Philip Rivers who also threw 32 TDs. And yet? Goff’s 4,688 yards bested the two aging superstars. And Goff now has a signature win along with some late game heroics against a legit team in the Chiefs.

Truth be told though, that all goes into the shadows without a playoff win this year.

The stakes have never been higher for Jared Goff.

It’s his move.