Matthew Stafford secured a place in the NFL history book on Sunday.
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Matthew Stafford finally threw an interception. But he secured his place in NFL history before the giveaway.
In the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, Stafford found Davante Adams in the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown pass. The score gave the Los Angeles Rams a 7-0 lead. And it put Stafford in the NFL history book.
The touchdown was Stafford’s 28th straight this season in a span in which he did not throw an interception. That’s the most touchdowns without an interception in NFL history. He was previously tied with Tom Brady at 27.
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Stafford entered Sunday having thrown 30 touchdowns and just two interceptions while leading the Rams to an NFC-best 9-2 record. He hadn’t thrown an interception since a Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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But Stafford didn’t extend the record on Sunday. On the very next Rams possession, Stafford threw a red-zone pass that got tipped at the line of scrimmage. The ball bounced high into the air, and Panthers safety Nick Scott picked it off in the end zone.
Then on the next Rams possession, Stafford threw another one. And this one didn’t get tipped.
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Stafford targeted Puka Nacua in the flat near midfield. But Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson jumped the route and intercepted the ball at the Los Angeles 48. He ran untouched from there to the end zone for a pick 6 and a 14-7 Panthers lead.
The pair of interceptions doubled Stafford’s total this season in which he’d joined Drake Make for the lead in the MVP race.
It’s been a remarkable season and one that has the Rams in Super Bowl contention. But Stafford would certainly like to have those two passes back.
