Matthew Stafford has been considered one of the top talents in the NFL since he was selected with the first overall pick in the 2009 draft. The 17-year pro is ranked in the top 10 all-time in several passing categories.
But Rams The star guard has never finished a season first in passing yards.
Stafford, 37, came close several times during his 12-year tenure with the Detroit Lions. He finished third to Drew Brees and Tom Brady in 2011, second to Brees in 2012, third to Peyton Manning and Brees in 2013, and third to Brady and Philip Rivers in 2017.
And in 2021, his first season with the Rams, he was third behind Brady and Justin Herbert.
Could this be the year Stafford finishes at the top?
Stafford will enter Sunday game against the Baltimore Ravens with a league-leading 1,503 yards passing.
He is second in touchdowns (11), attempts (183) and completions (122). Stafford intercepted two passes.
Through five games, Stafford is off to his best start since 2021, passing for 1,587 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Would Stafford like to add the so-called passing title to his stellar resume?
“I don’t think about it too much,” Stafford said Wednesday before practice, adding: “Maybe some other time when I’m done playing this game.
“But no, I’m just trying to get us in the end zone and score as many points as possible.”
The Rams (3-2) lose in overtime to the San Francisco 49ers, 26-23. Stafford had the Rams positioned for an eventual victory until running back Kyren Williams was stopped on fourth-and-1 at the 49ers' 11-yard line.
Stafford passed for 389 yards and three touchdowns.
“He's done a great job getting us into good positions,” coach Sean McVay said, adding, “He's playing the way we think he can.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford walks off the field after a win over the Houston Texans on Sept. 8.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Stafford and receiver Puka Nacua doing their part to make each other shine.
Nacua leads the NFL with 52 catches and 599 receiving yards. He had two touchdown catches and also scored on a 45-yard run.
Stafford said Nacua's versatility sets him apart.
“If you're a defender and you're going up against him … you're going to have to defend every blade of grass,” Stafford said. “Are we going to throw it to him? Are we going to throw it to him? Is he going to run a block for us in the run game? Or is he going to slide into the flat, catch it and run for another 15 [yards]”
Recipient Davante Adams also helped Stafford in his first season with the Rams. The two played against each other when Stafford played for the Lions and Adams played for the Green Bay Packers.
“I just have a ton of respect and admiration for his game,” Stafford said of Adams, who has 22 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns. “That hasn't changed. It's only grown since he's been here. As good a player as he is, he's an even better teammate.”
After the loss to the 49ers, the Rams had three days of rest.
Stafford, a father of four daughters, said he used what he called a mini-poca to recharge.
“I try to make sure that when I'm at my girls' soccer games, I sit and don't stand up too much to save my legs,” he said, chuckling. “If we paint pumpkins, I try not to get my hands too dirty. I rest as much as I can…
“But I appreciate them, especially as I get older and longer in my career. It's important to take this time whenever possible to try to feel as good as I can. I did it as hard as I could and felt refreshed and ready to come back and try to get this whole thing going again.”
Etc.
Linebacker Omar Speights (ankle), tight end Tyler Higbee (hip) and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (ankle) did not practice. Safety Cam Kinchens (knee), linebacker Nate Landman (ankle) and tight end Colby Parkinson (concussion) were limited. … Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) did not practice, per the Ravens injury report.
