The Los Angeles Rams earned a statement 42-26 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, improving to 7-2 behind another stellar performance from veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who’s playing some of the best football of his career in his 17th NFL season.
Now 10 weeks into the year, Stafford has firmly inserted himself into the MVP conversation, and Sunday’s outing against a stout 49ers defense only strengthened his case. He completed 24 of 36 passes for 280 yards, four touchdowns, and no turnovers, carving up a defense that had no answers for him.
According to OptaSTATS, Stafford became the first quarterback in NFL history to record 20 or more touchdown passes and zero interceptions over a six-game span within a single season.
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Outside of making NFL history on Sunday, Stafford also joined an exclusive club of just eight other quarterbacks to throw 400 career touchdown passes.
He continues to rely heavily on his top two receivers, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, who combined for 11 receptions and 141 yards, with each finding the end zone once.
So far this season, Stafford has thrown 25 touchdown passes while completing over 65% of his attempts and tossing just two interceptions. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, he currently trails only New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye in the MVP odds.
Prior to Sunday’s game, Stafford sat down with Fox Sports’ Erin Andrews and reflected on what winning an MVP — an award that’s eluded him throughout his career — would mean.
“Yeah, you know, it would mean a lot,” Stafford said. “I just have so much respect and reverence for this game. It’s humbling for me to be a part of it for as long as I’ve been able to, and when you get opportunities to play good football and be named with some of the greatest players to ever play your position, I pinch myself a lot of times thinking about that. Just to be a part of that now is something I don’t take for granted. I’m blessed, for sure.”
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