One Last Look: QB Matthew Stafford putting his numbers vs. Packers out of reach
Plus some streaks heading into Sunday vs. Rams
Oct 05, 2024 at 08:30 AM
GREEN BAY – Just last week, quarterback Matthew Stafford moved into the top 10 on the NFL's all-time list for passing yards with 57,025, and the only active QB with more is the Packers' former four-time MVP, Aaron Rodgers (59,904).
So on Sunday in Los Angeles as Stafford makes his 22nd career start against Green Bay, the most of any active opposing QB, it's a good time to review the marks he's posted in that time – records for Green Bay opponents he's putting out of reach for a long, long time.
During his career with the Lions and now Rams, Stafford has thrown 40 TD passes against Green Bay and is just 24 passing yards from 6,000. Those numbers far outpace anyone else.
Johnny Unitas threw 34 TD passes against the Packers (in 23 starts), and Fran Tarkenton had 33 (in 28). The only active QB in the top five is Kirk Cousins with 23 TD passes, in 11 games, and the only other active QB with even a dozen TD passes against the Packers is Jared Goff. So Stafford's total there is plenty safe.
Assuming he gets those 24 passing yards to reach 6,000 against the Packers, that's not likely to be touched anytime soon either. No one else ever hit 5,000 (Tarkenton had 4,978) and the only active QB over 3,000 is Cousins (3,010).
This is Stafford's fourth season with the Rams, but it's just his second start for LA against Green Bay because he was injured for both the 2022 and '23 matchups.
In this one, he'll be without his top two receivers in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but the Packers are taking nothing for granted with Stafford under center.
"They still got the guy delivering the football that's one of the best in the business," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "He can make any throw. He's tougher than crap. He can stand in there, he can take a beating. We have to make sure we get after him as best we can."
Back when Stafford made his first start against Green Bay, as a rookie on Nov. 26, 2009, at Lambeau Field, Packers QB Jordan Love had just turned 11 years old.
Love couldn't remember the first time he watched Stafford play on TV, but there's always been a level of admiration for the nuances of QB play in his game. Love got to meet Stafford this past offseason and enjoyed chatting ball.
"Talk about a guy that can do a lot of things with eye manipulation, no-look passes, put the ball on the money," Love said. "Definitely got a lot of respect for him."