Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford made history in Week 7 by throwing for his 300th career touchdown against none other than the Detroit Lions.
Stafford found wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a quick, two-yard strike in the end zone to reach this impressive feat. He was subsequently congratulated with cheers from both Rams and Lions fans alike throughout SoFi Stadium.
In a sense, it was poetic that Stafford reached such a major milestone against his former team. He not only became the 13th quarterback in NFL history to reach the mark, he also tied Hall of Famer John Elway for the 12th-most touchdown passes in NFL history.
While Stafford is hardly one to harp on his own accomplishments, he could not help but acknowledge how special it was to match his childhood idol in Elway.
“It means a little bit. I grew up watching John (Elway) and I was a huge fan. I wore No. 7 in high school and college because of John. And I was a huge fan of the way he played the game, the way he threw the ball, all of that. It’s pretty cool. I’m sure I’ll appreciate it probably more when I’m done playing. But along the way, it’s nice to get that done with a win. If we had not won the game, I would probably be feeling a little bit different about it. But being able to win the game and do something like that, it’s pretty special.”
Despite what appeared to be a one-sided matchup, the eventful week culminated with a nail-biter at SoFi Stadium. The Lions even boasted a 19-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter and were in position to put the game out of reach until the defense once again came to the rescue thanks to the efforts of defensive lineman Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Stafford finished the game completing 28-of-41 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns.The fact that the Rams managed to overcome an ugly start to secure a 28-19 victory over the Lions was certainly the icing on the cake as they now carry a 6-1 record going into Week 8.
The 33-year-old accumulated his fair share of individual accolades during his 12-year stint in Detroit. Even though they continue to pile on while he thrives in L.A., it was the chance at competing in the playoffs for the first time in his career that ultimately spurred the move.
