Matthew Stafford has already passed Eli Manning on two NFL career lists. The Rams quarterback is about to do it again.
When Stafford throws a touchdown pass against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night at SoFi Stadium, he will be in sole possession of 10th place.
Stafford, a 16-year pro, has scored 366 touchdowns. He is tied with Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, who is in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In a September 22 win over the San Francisco 49ers, Stafford moved past Manning to 10th in completions. A week later, in a loss to the Chicago Bears, Stafford moved past Manning into 10th place for going over the distance.
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In a humorous video, Manning congratulated Stafford on that achievement.
“You’re also seven touchdowns away from passing me in total touchdowns,” Manning said. “Don’t expect a new video for that.”
Stafford passed for a touchdown in a loss to the Green Bay Packers, but he was fouled out in a win over the Las Vegas Raiders. After six games, he had passed for three touchdowns.
Since then he rose in two matches and passed six.
“That’s a good sign,” Stafford said Thursday when asked if he felt like he was on a roll, “because that means we’re getting into the end zone.”
Handing the ball off to running back Kyren Williams for a short scoring run or throwing a touchdown pass gets the job done, Stafford said. “It doesn’t really matter to me.”
Stafford’s passing has allowed the Rams to bounce back from a 1-4 start and win three straight games.
On October 24 against the Minnesota Vikings, Stafford threw a short touchdown pass to Williams in the first quarter, slipped a tackle and fired a touchdown pass to receiver Cooper Kupp in the second. He also found receiver Demarcus Robinson for two touchdowns in a 30-20 win that moved Stafford past Dan Marino to ninth in completions.
Last Sunday in Seattle, Stafford connected with Robinson for two touchdowns, including a 39-yard strike that gave the Rams a 26-20 win over the Seahawks.
“Week to week, depending on what the defense is going to give you, you have to go out there and attack,” said Stafford, who has passed for nine touchdowns with six interceptions. “And certain weeks the ball was handed over, and other weeks it was, ‘Hey, let’s try to create matchups in the passing game.’
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Against the Dolphins, Stafford will be protected by yet another incarnation of the offensive line. Coach Sean McVay said Rob Havenstein will not play due to an ankle injury he suffered against the Seahawks. Veteran Joe Noteboom or second-year pro Warren McClendon Jr. could start in his place.
On Thursday, interior linemen Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila returned to practice after being on reserve due to shoulder and knee injuries, respectively.
“It’s good to have those guys back on the practice field,” McVay said. “We’ve had a lot of moving parts on the offensive line, so it’s definitely something we’re used to.”
McVay has said he expects Jackson to be ready for the Dolphins. Avila’s status is to be determined.
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“It’s good to have those guys back on the practice field,” McVay said. “We’ve had a lot of moving parts on the offensive line, so it’s definitely something we’re used to.”
McVay has said he expects Jackson to be ready for the Dolphins. Avila’s status is to be determined.
Etc.
Receiver Robinson (ankle/hip), offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (ankle/knee) and safety Kam Curl did not practice Thursday. Receiver Jordan Whittington, who has been inactive the last two games due to a shoulder injury, was a full participant. Punter Ethan Evans returned to practice after sitting out against the Seahawks due to what he described as mononucleosis.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
