Former Georgia QB Matthew Stafford reaches notable NFL passing record in record time
By Keith Farner
Published:
Former Georgia QB Matthew Stafford has put up loads of numbers in his NFL career for the Detroit Lions. Now he’s entering record-breaking territory.
Stafford reached 40,000 career passing yards on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in only his 147th-career game, the fewest games needed in NFL history. He reached the mark 4 games quicker than Falcons QB Matt Ryan, who held the previous record at 151 games.
Because the Lions are often behind in games, Stafford has regularly put up stats late in games that have largely been decided. He makes a lot of throws against defenses that may have relaxed their alignment. Pass-favorable rule changes have also played a part in Stafford and other modern quarterbacks posting more yards than earlier generations.
Stafford connected with WR Marvin Jones Jr. for at least 2 touchdown passes in the first half, and they’ve now connected on 21 touchdown passes, the third-most TDs Stafford has thrown to one player in his career.
Stafford closed out his three-year career at Georgia as third on the school’s all-time record list for yards passing (7,731), pass attempts (987), completed passes (564), touchdown passes (51), touchdowns responsible for (57), and yards in total offense (7,944). In 34 games, he compiled a 27-7 record.
Stafford was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
