4 months ago
- Lions
- Published: Jan. 04, 2026, 8:04 p.m.
For nan 2nd consecutive week, and nan 3rd clip this season, Los Angeles Rams backmost Matthew Stafford moved up connected 1 of nan NFL’s astir respected leaderboards.
In nan 3rd 4th of nan Rams’ regular-season finale against nan Arizona Cardinals astatine SoFi Stadium, Stafford threw his 421st profession touchdown. This put him up of Hall of Famer Dan Marino and made him seventh all-time successful profession passing touchdowns.
Stafford, who spent his first 12 seasons pinch nan Detroit Lions, passed for 259 yards and 4 touchdowns successful nan Rams’ 37-20 triumph complete nan Cardinals. He now has 423 profession touchdowns and needs 3 much to walk Indianapolis Colts backmost Philip Rivers.
Rivers started nan 2025 play retired pinch 421 touchdowns, but aft returning to nan Colts astatine property 44 connected December 10 past year, he accrued his full to 425. If Stafford comes backmost for his 18th NFL season, he could walk Rivers early on.
With 1:22 near earlier halftime connected Sunday, Stafford tied Marino by throwing a two-yard touchdown to Rams receiver Puka Nacua, putting nan Rams up 13-6. Later, pinch 32 seconds near successful nan 3rd quarter, he recovered tight extremity Colby Parkinson for a 21-yard touchdown, giving Los Angeles a 23-20 lead.
The 37-year-old backmost added 2 much touchdowns successful nan 4th quarter, helping nan Rams unafraid a beardown Week 18 win. He ended nan play pinch 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and conscionable 8 interceptions. Many judge this could beryllium his champion play yet, and he is expected to beryllium a apical contender for his first NFL MVP award.
Since being traded to Los Angeles for Jared Goff successful 2021, Stafford has recovered plentifulness of success. However, astir of his stats travel from his years successful Detroit, wherever he threw for 45,109 yards and 282 touchdowns.
The Lions picked Stafford first wide successful nan 2009 NFL draught aft his assemblage profession astatine nan University of Georgia.
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