Matthew Stafford continued his MVP-caliber season in the Los Angeles Rams’ 34-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
The veteran quarterback completed 24 of 32 passes for 281 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. The performance came on the heels of Stafford tying a career-high with five touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
He now leads the NFL with 21 passing touchdowns, 106 first downs and an average of 268.4 passing yards in eight games this season.
During a recent episode of SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go!” podcast, legendary head coach Bill Belichick compared Stafford to arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time in Tom Brady:
I don’t want to put him in a class with Tom, but it’s reminiscent of Brady, where it keeps getting better and better and better. I remember when we practiced against him and played him several years ago. He’s gotten smarter. He understands more. He knows how to use his weapons maybe just a split second quicker. He’s a little harder to fool. Something you might’ve gotten him with a couple years ago, you’re not gonna get him with now.”
Stafford appreciated Belichick’s comments and said he plays football to honor all of the players before him:
“I appreciate those words from Coach. I have a ton of respect for what he’s been able to accomplish throughout his career and had some great battles against him. As my body changes, as the league changes, you gotta keep up with all of it. I put a lot of time and energy into trying to do that. I play this game for the respect of the guys I play with and the respect of the people I compete against. It means a lot to come from Coach, so I appreciate that.”
Stafford is now in his fifth season with the Rams, and similar to Brady during the latter stages of his playing career, seems to only be getting better by the year.
He is on pace to set career-highs in several categories and has led the Rams to a 6-2 record thus far. If the 37-year-old keeps up this level of play, L.A. should have as good of a chance as any team to win the Super Bowl this season.
Rams’ Matthew Stafford building trust with Davante Adams
Matthew Stafford threw two of his touchdowns passes against the Saints to Davante Adams, who continues making a big impact in his first season with the Rams.
Stafford said after the game that he enjoys throwing the ball to Adams and called him one of the smartest players he has ever shared the field with.
