Matthew Stafford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matthew Stafford
refer to caption
Stafford with the Rams in 2023
No. 9 – Los Angeles Rams
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1988-02-07) February 7, 1988 (age 36)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Highland Park (Dallas, Texas)
College:Georgia (2006–2008)
NFL draft:2009 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
NFL records
  • Most fourth quarter comebacks in a season: 8 (tied with Kirk Cousins) (2016)[1]
  • Career playoff passing yards per game (minimum 150 attempts): 307.9[2]
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Passing attempts:7,649
Passing completions:4,834
Completion percentage:63.2%
TDINT:357–180
Passing yards:56,047
Passer rating:91.0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

John Matthew Stafford[3] (born February 7, 1988) is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia and was selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL draft. Ranking in the top 12 of all-time in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns, Stafford is currently fifth all-time in passing yards per game and is the fastest player in NFL history to have reached 40,000 career passing yards.[4]

As the Lions' primary starter from 2009 to 2020, Stafford had a breakout year in 2011 where he became only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a single season, while also leading Detroit to their first playoff appearance since 1999. He led the Lions to two further playoff runs in 2014 and 2016, earning himself Pro Bowl honors during the former and setting an NFL season record for most comeback wins in the latter. After mutually agreeing to part ways with the Lions, Stafford was traded to the Rams in 2021 and led them to victory in Super Bowl LVI.[5]

Early years[edit]

Stafford was born in Tampa, Florida to John and Margaret Stafford. He lived in Dunwoody, Georgia, while his father attended graduate school at the University of Georgia. He has one sibling, an older sister named Page. His family then moved to Dallas, Texas, and Stafford attended Highland Park High School with Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw.[6] He was coached by Randy Allen and was widely considered to be one of the best high school quarterbacks in the United States in the Class of 2006,[7] ranked ahead of Tim Tebow.[8]

In 2005, he led his team to a perfect 15–0 record and won the UIL 4A Division I State Championship.[9] During the playoff run, Stafford beat Ryan Mallett's Texarkana Texas 38–31, as well as Jevan Snead's Stephenville 41–38.[10][11] Stafford had over 4,000 yards passing despite not playing in the first three games of the season due to a knee injury. Stafford received numerous accolades, including being named to the Parade All-America Team and the USA Today Pre-Season Super 25 in 2005.[12] He also won the MVP and Best Arm awards at the 2005 EA Sports Elite 11 Quarterback Camp and was named the 2005 EA Sports National Player of the Year.[13] Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Stafford was listed as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback prospect in the class of 2006 by Rivals.com.[14][7]

Before he had even started a game at the collegiate level, analyst Mel Kiper Jr. predicted, correctly, that Stafford would eventually be the first pick in the NFL draft.[15]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Matthew Stafford
QB
Dallas, Texas Highland Park HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.7 May 13, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 93
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 2 (QB)   Rivals: 1 (QB)  ESPN: 1 (QB)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Georgia Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  • "2006 Georgia Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  • "2006 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 17, 2011.

College career[edit]

2006 season[edit]

"Matthew Stafford eventually will be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Write that down."

Football analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. on ESPN Radio in September 2006.[16]

Stafford graduated early from high school and enrolled at the University of Georgia in January, where he became the first true freshman quarterback to start for the Georgia Bulldogs football team since Quincy Carter in 1998, and first out of high school to start since Eric Zeier in 1991.[17][18][19] Stafford wore number 7 at Georgia.[20] He completed five of 12 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown in a Georgia spring game.[21]

Stafford debuted late in the season opener of the 2006 season against Western Kentucky and went 3 of 5 passing for 40 yards and a touchdown pass in the 48–12 victory.[22] During the season's third game, against South Carolina, starting quarterback Joe Tereshinski III was injured, forcing Stafford to come off the bench.[23] Although he completed just 8 of 19 passes for 171 yards and three interceptions, Georgia won the game, 18–0.[24] Against University of Alabama Birmingham the following week, Stafford made his first collegiate start. Georgia won, 34–0.[25] Victories over Colorado and Ole Miss improved Georgia's record to 5–0, but the heart of the conference schedule loomed.[26]

The rest of the season was inconsistent for Stafford and the Bulldogs. Following home losses to both Tennessee and Vanderbilt, head coach Mark Richt named Stafford the starter for the rest of the season ahead of Tereshinski.[27][28] Stafford completed 20 of 32 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns in a 27–24 win over Mississippi State, and was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Week for his efforts.[29] Statistically, he had his best game of the season against the #5 Auburn Tigers. Stafford finished the game 14 of 20 for 219 yards and a touchdown, and added 83 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries in Georgia's 37–15 upset win.[30] The following week, Stafford led the Bulldogs on a 12-play, 64-yard drive and threw a late game-winning touchdown pass to Mohamed Massaquoi in Georgia's 15–12 win over #16 Georgia Tech.[31]

Stafford completed his freshman season by leading Georgia to a 31–24 come-from-behind victory over Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, after the Bulldogs trailed 21–3 at halftime. Stafford threw for 129 yards and a second half touchdown to spark the comeback and allow Georgia to finish the season with a 9–4 record.[32] Stafford finished with 1,749 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.[33]

2007 season[edit]

Stafford threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 35–14 in the season opener.[34] Following a 16–12 loss to South Carolina and a 45–16 victory over Western Carolina, the Bulldogs avoided an 0–2 start in SEC play by escaping Bryant–Denny Stadium with an overtime win over Alabama.[35][36][37] Stafford connected with senior wide receiver Mikey Henderson on the Bulldogs' first play from scrimmage in overtime for the winning score.[38] Following the Alabama game, Georgia won two of their next three.[39] In the win over #9 Florida, he completed 11 of 18 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns, including a career-long touchdown pass of 84 yards to Mohamed Massaquoi and a 53-yard touchdown pass to Henderson.[40][41] Georgia closed out the regular season on a six-game winning streak.[39] The wins over Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech marked the first time that Georgia had defeated all three rivals in the same season since 1982.[42][43]

Stafford had 175 yards passing and a touchdown pass during Georgia's 41–10 rout of the #10 Hawaii Warriors in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.[44] He completed 194 of 348 passes for 2,523 yards (194.1/game) and 19 touchdowns as well as two rushing touchdowns for the season.[45] He finished fifth in the SEC in pass completions and sixth in passing touchdowns.[46] Stafford helped lead Georgia to an 11–2 record, their best mark since the 2002 season, and a #2 ranking in the Final AP Poll.[39][47]

2008 season[edit]

Stafford was chosen to Athlon Sports' preseason Heisman Favorites Others To Watch list.[12] Georgia was ranked #1 in both the preseason coaches poll and the AP Poll, marking the first time Georgia has ever been #1 in the preseason version of either poll.[48] The team entered the 2008 season with the longest active winning streak among the 66 BCS conference teams, having won its last seven games of the 2007 season. He helped lead them to victories in their first four games to move the winning streak to 11.[49] Stafford and the Bulldogs suffered their first setback in a 41–30 loss to #8 Alabama on September 27.[50] Stafford rebounded by helping lead the team to victories in five of the next six games, the lone exception being a 49–10 loss to the eventual National Champion Florida Gators.[49][51] In that stretch, he threw for over 300 yards in victories over Tennessee and Kentucky.[52][53] In the final regular season game against Georgia Tech, Stafford completed 24 out of 39 attempts for 407 yards and five touchdowns, setting personal collegiate highs for passing yards and touchdowns in a single game, albeit a 45–42 loss.[54] Stafford finished the season with a conference-leading 235 pass completions for 3,459 passing yards, the second most in school history, and 25 touchdowns, the single-season record for passing touchdowns.[55] He led the SEC in pass attempts and passing completions while finishing third for passing touchdowns.[56][57] Georgia finished the regular season with a 9–3 mark and qualified for the Capitol One Bowl.[49] After defeating Michigan State 24–12 and winning the MVP of the 2009 Capital One Bowl, Stafford finished his three years at Georgia with a 3–0 record in bowl games and a 6–3 record in rivalry games (1–2 against Florida, 3–0 against Auburn, and 2–1 against Georgia Tech).[58] Stafford chose to forgo his senior season and entered the 2009 NFL Draft.[59]

Awards and honors[edit]

College statistics[edit]

Season Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Comp Att Pct Yards Avg TD Int Rate Att Yards Avg TD
Georgia Bulldogs
2006 13 8 6–2 135 256 52.7 1,749 6.8 7 13 109.0 47 191 4.1 3
2007 13 13 11–2 194 348 55.7 2,523 7.3 19 10 128.9 39 −18 −0.5 2
2008 13 13 10–3 235 383 61.4 3,459 9.0 25 10 153.5 55 40 0.7 1
Total 39 34 27–7 564 987 57.1 7,731 7.8 51 33 133.3 141 207 1.5 6
  • Stafford's 25 touchdown passes in 2008 broke the previous Georgia record of 24, set by D. J. Shockley (2005) and Eric Zeier (1993, 1994).[65]
  • Stafford's 3,459 yards passing in 2008 were second-most in Georgia history, surpassed only by Zeier's 3,525 yards in 1993.[66]

Professional career[edit]

NFL Draft[edit]

In April 2008, several NFL analysts predicted Stafford would be the #1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft if he chose to leave school early.[67][68] He eventually did, and on April 24, 2009, agreed to record contract terms with the Detroit Lions to become the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, one day before the draft was held. Stafford became the fourth player out of Georgia to be the first overall selection in the draft and the first since Harry Babcock in 1953.[69][70][71][72] The six-year contract reportedly contained $41.7 million in guaranteed money (the most guaranteed to any player in NFL history until July 30, 2010, when quarterback Sam Bradford signed a deal with $50 million guaranteed) and carried a total value of up to $78 million. Detroit negotiated a deal with Stafford on April 24, 2009, less than 24 hours before the draft.[73]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Wonderlic
6 ft 2+14 in
(1.89 m)
225 lb
(102 kg)
33+14 in
(0.84 m)
10 in
(0.25 m)
4.81 s 1.65 s 2.76 s 4.47 s 7.06 s 30+12 in
(0.77 m)
8 ft 11 in
(2.72 m)
38
All values from NFL Combine[74][75][76]

Detroit Lions[edit]

Stafford in 2009

2009 season[edit]

On September 6, 2009, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz announced that Stafford would be the Lions' starting quarterback heading into the season.[77][78][79] He was the first Lions rookie quarterback to start in Week 1 since Greg Landry in 1968.[80] He completed 16 of 37 passes for 205 yards and three interceptions. He ran in a one-yard touchdown early in the third quarter of a 45–27 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.[81] In the following game, a 27–13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Stafford threw his first career touchdown pass on an eight-yard completion to Calvin Johnson.[82] He recorded his first win as a Lion in the next game against the Washington Redskins. He passed for 241 yards and a touchdown in the 19–14 victory.[83] The win was significant for the Lions' as it snapped a 19-game losing streak going back to the 2007 season.[84]

On November 22, 2009, Stafford threw five touchdowns in a 38–37 win over the Cleveland Browns, becoming the youngest quarterback ever to do so, being more than a year younger than the former record holder, Dan Marino.[85] In a thrilling ending, Stafford received high acclaim when he stepped back onto the field despite team doctors' urge to stay on the sideline after suffering a separated shoulder on the previous play and threw the final touchdown pass as time expired. In addition to the five touchdown passes, Stafford accumulated 422 yards passing, a record for a rookie at that time. For his performance, Stafford won National Football Conference (NFC) Offensive Player of the Week and Pepsi Rookie of the Week.[86][87] Stafford was mic'd up for the game for NFL Films. The show's creator Steve Sabol said it was the most dramatic performance he's seen in the show's 30-year history.[88] To begin Week 12 on Thanksgiving Day, Stafford went 20 of 43 for 213 yards with a touchdown pass but threw four interceptions in the 34–12 loss against the Green Bay Packers.[89]

Stafford was placed on injured reserve on December 24 for the minor knee injury.[90] Stafford concluded his rookie season having passed for 2,267 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. In all 10 of the games he started for the Lions, he either threw or ran for a touchdown despite the Lions finishing the season 2–8 in games that he started in. The Lions did not win another game without Stafford and finished with a 2–14 record overall.[91]

2010 season[edit]

Stafford with the Lions in 2010

Stafford injured his right shoulder in the season-opening 19–14 loss against the Chicago Bears on September 12.[92] Stafford returned on October 31 in Week 8 against the Redskins and threw for 212 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception to lead the Lions to a 37–25 win.[93] In the next game, Stafford re-injured his right shoulder in the fourth quarter of the Lions 23–20 overtime loss to the New York Jets after throwing for 240 yards, two touchdowns, and recording a rushing touchdown.[94] The Lions announced that Dr. James Andrews had performed surgery on Stafford's throwing shoulder, which included an AC joint repair and a clavicle shaving.[95] The surgery ended his 2010 season, leaving the Lions at 1–2 in games he started and bringing his career total with the Lions to 3–10.[96] The Lions finished the 2010 season with a 6–10 record and missed the playoffs.[97]

2011 season[edit]

The Lions opened the season on September 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with high expectations.[98] Stafford played well, throwing for 305 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in a 27–20 win, the first season opener the Lions had won since 2007.[99] Another strong performance followed, with Stafford throwing for four touchdowns, 294 yards, and an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, leading the Lions to a 48–3 blowout victory, the largest win margin in team history.[100] Stafford won the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week for his performance.[101] In Weeks 3 and 4, Stafford led the team to consecutive comeback victories, a 26–23 overtime comeback victory over the Vikings after trailing 20–0 at halftime in Week 3, and a 34–30 win over the Dallas Cowboys after trailing 27–3 with 12:27 left in the third quarter.[102][103]

Week 5 saw Stafford orchestrate a 24–13 win over the Bears, going 19 of 26 for 219 yards and two touchdowns. This marked the first time the Lions had gone 5–0 since 1956, the year before they won their last NFL Championship.[104] In Week 10 against the Bears, Stafford threw four interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns on consecutive drives.[105][106] The game was marred by a brawl that began when Stafford threw Bears cornerback D. J. Moore to the ground by his helmet during a block on an interception return. In response, Moore attacked Stafford and a sideline-clearing brawl ensued.[107] Stafford was fined $7,500 for his role in the brawl.[108]

On November 20, Stafford threw for 335 yards and tied his career-high with five touchdowns as the Lions defeated the Carolina Panthers in another comeback, 49–35, after trailing 24–7 in the second quarter.[109] Stafford became the first quarterback since at least 1950 to win back to back games after trailing by at least 20 points, the first to win three games in a season after trailing by at least 17 points, and the first to win four games in a season after trailing by at least 13 points according to STATS, LLC.[110]

On January 1, 2012, Stafford became the fourth quarterback in NFL history and third in the 2011 season, along with Tom Brady and Drew Brees, to throw for 5,000 passing yards in a season after recording a career-high 520 passing yards against the Packers in a 45–41 loss in Week 17.[111] In this game, Stafford threw an interception on an attempted 37-yard touchdown pass that, had he been successful, he would've broken Norm Van Brocklin's record for most yards in a game.[112] The accomplishment made Stafford the second-youngest quarterback in NFL history, at the age of 23 years and 328 days, to reach 5,000 yards, behind only Dan Marino.[113][114] Stafford became the first player in Lions' franchise history to have two games in a single season with at least five passing touchdowns.[115] Over the last four games of the 2011 regular season, Stafford became the only quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 1,500 yards (1,511) and 14 touchdowns over a four-game span.[116] Stafford and the Lions finished the regular season with a 10–6 record, good enough for the Lions to make their first playoff appearance since 1999.[117][118]

During the Wild Card Round in the playoffs against the Saints, Stafford threw for 380 yards with three touchdown passes and added a rushing touchdown. However, he threw two late interceptions in the fourth quarter that sealed the loss for the Lions, as they were defeated, 45–28.[119]

Stafford was named a Pro Bowl alternate for the NFC after the 2011 NFL season.[120] He was later named the 2011 Pro Football Weekly Comeback Player of the Year, AP Comeback Player of the Year, and NFL Alumni Quarterback of the Year.[121][122] He was ranked 41st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.[123]

2012 season[edit]

While the 2011 season proved to be the best season of Stafford's young career, 2012 was one full of setbacks. During the opening game against the St. Louis Rams, Stafford threw three interceptions and one touchdown pass. However, the Lions won the game 27–23.[124] Stafford and the Lions lost the next three games to the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Vikings.[125][126][127] In the ensuing weeks, the Lions managed to win three games, including impressive comeback wins against the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles, and a dominating performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[128][129][130] These proved to be the final winning games of the 2012 season as they ended the season with an eight-game losing streak and with a 4–12 record.[131] One highlight in the losing streak was a game against the Atlanta Falcons, where Stafford recorded a career-high 37 completions for 443 passing yards and one interception in the 31–18 loss.[132]

Stafford finished the season with a league-leading 435 pass completions for 20 touchdown passes, significantly less compared to the 41 touchdowns he passed for in the 2011 season; 17 interceptions, one more than 2011, and second most in his career since his rookie season; 4,967 passing yards on 727 attempts (an NFL record; the previous record was 691 by Drew Bledsoe); and a QB rating of 79.8, the lowest since his rookie season.[133] He rushed for a career-high 126 yards and four rushing touchdowns on 35 carries.[134] He was ranked #76 among his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.[135]

2013 season[edit]

On July 7, 2013, Stafford agreed to a three-year, $53 million extension with the Lions. He was guaranteed $41.5 million through 2017.[136]

Stafford completed 23-of-35 passes for 242 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on September 29 in a 40–32 win against the Bears.[137] That gave him 14,069 yards through 49 games, surpassing Kurt Warner (13,864) for the best 50-game start to a career.[138]

"I might (reflect on that) when I'm done playing someday," Stafford said. "I had no idea about that, or that it was coming. It's something that I'll probably look back on when I'm done and realize it was something pretty special."[139]

Stafford set a record for completions over 50 games at 1,214, over Marc Bulger's 1,115. He finished second in career 300-yard passing performances through 50 games at 19, trailing Warner's 29.[140]

Stafford led the Lions to a 5–3 record entering their mid-season bye. Stafford defeated the Cowboys 31–30 in the final game before the bye, throwing for 488 yards and a touchdown despite two interceptions; down 30–24 with just 62 seconds to work with and no timeouts Stafford completed a 23-yard pass to Calvin Johnson to the Cowboys 1-yard line; he hustled the team to the line as though to spike the ball, but instead jumped over the line for the winning touchdown with 14 seconds to go, to go to 5–3.[141][142]

However, the Lions finished 2–6 for a final record of 7–9.[143] Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was fired following the season.[144] Stafford finished the 2013 season with 4,650 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.[145] He was ranked #100 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014 players' list.[146]

2014 season[edit]

Stafford with the Lions in 2014 in Green Bay

On January 14, 2014, the Lions announced Jim Caldwell as their new head coach.[147] The Lions rebounded from a disappointing 2013 campaign by finishing with an 11–5 record, thus earning the NFC's 6th seed, their first playoff appearance since 2011.[148] He started the 2014 season off strong with 346 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in a 35–14 victory over the New York Giants.[149] In Week 13, against the Bears, he passed for a season-high 390 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in the 34–17 victory.[150] During the season, Stafford became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 20,000 passing yards. He accomplished the feat in his 71st game, breaking Dan Marino's mark of 74.[151] He led the NFL with five game-winning drives.[152] Stafford finished the 2014 season with 4,257 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, to go along with a QB rating of 85.7.[153]

On January 4, 2015, Stafford and the Lions went against the Cowboys, in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. After the Lions had a 20–7 lead in the third quarter, the Cowboys scored 17 unanswered points to win 24–20. In the fourth quarter, with the Lions up 20–17, Stafford threw a pass to tight end Brandon Pettigrew. The ball hit Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens on the back. Pass interference was initially called on the Cowboys. However, the officials reversed the call on the series that ended up being crucial as the Lions were forced to punt later on the drive.[154] Stafford threw 323 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the loss.[155]

Stafford at the 2015 Pro Bowl

On January 19, 2015, it was announced that Stafford was selected to the 2015 Pro Bowl, his first Pro Bowl appearance.[156] He would be replacing Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos, due to a quad injury.[157] For the game, he was named Pro Bowl Offensive MVP, with 316 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.[158]

2015 season[edit]

Stafford during the 2015 preseason in Landover

The 2015 season started rough for Stafford and the Lions with a 0–5 start.[159] In the stretch, Stafford passed for six touchdowns and eight interceptions to go along with an average of 241 passing yards per game.[160] The Lions got their first victory against the Bears in Week 6, with Stafford recording 405 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and one interception in the 37–34 overtime result.[161] In Week 12, against the Eagles, Stafford passed for 337 yards and five passing touchdowns in the 45–14 victory.[162] It was the fourth time in Stafford's career with a five-touchdown game, becoming the tenth player in NFL history to pull off the feat.[163] On December 13, 2015, in Week 14 against the Rams, Stafford reached 25,000 passing yards in his 90th career game, becoming the fastest quarterback to reach this milestone, surpassing the previous record held by Dan Marino of 92 games.[164] On December 21, Stafford posted a single-game career high in passer rating, and broke Jon Kitna's single-game franchise record with an 88.0 completion percentage.[165] He completed 22 of 25 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns to give him a career-high 148.6 passer rating in a Week 15 35–27 win over the Saints.[166] Stafford became the first quarterback in NFL history to complete 60 percent or more of his passes in all 16 games.[167] He finished the 2015 season with 4,262 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.[168] Despite Stafford's success, the Lions finished with a 7–9 record and missed the playoffs.[169]

2016 season[edit]

Stafford started the 2016 season off with a strong performance against the Indianapolis Colts. In the 39–35 victory, he finished with 340 passing yards and three touchdowns.[170] The Lions followed that up with three consecutive losses before getting a narrow 24–23 win over the Eagles to have a 2–3 record.[171] In the next game, against the Los Angeles Rams, he had 270 passing yards and four touchdowns in the 31–28 victory.[172] On December 11, 2016, Stafford broke Peyton Manning's NFL record of most fourth quarter comebacks in a season with eight. In his career, he has 25 such victories, the most in the NFL since he made his debut in 2009.[173] Stafford got the Lions to a 9–4 start but he suffered a hand injury in Week 14 and lost the last three games of the season to finish 9–7.[174][175] They managed to get the sixth seed in the playoffs, only to lose to the Seahawks 26–6 in the Wild Card Round. Stafford passed for 206 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the loss.[176] Stafford ended the season with 4,327 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions – his sixth consecutive season with at least 4,000 passing yards.[177] He became the fastest player in NFL history to reach the 30,000 career passing yards milestone. He became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 30,000 in their first eight seasons.[178] He was ranked 31st by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[179]

2017 season[edit]

On August 28, 2017, Stafford signed a 5-year, $135 million extension with $92 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time.[180][181]

On September 10, in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, Stafford finished with 292 passing yards, four touchdowns, and an interception as the Lions rallied and won by a score of 35–23.[182] It was his 27th fourth quarter/overtime comeback since 2011, the most in the league.[183] In Week 2, on Monday Night Football, Stafford threw his 193rd career touchdown pass in a win over the Giants, passing Bob Griese for 48th on the all time touchdown pass list.[184] On October 29, in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Stafford became the only player in NFL history to throw for more than 400 yards and no touchdowns in two different games.[185] On November 6, in Week 9 against the Packers, Stafford recorded his 200th career touchdown in the first quarter of the game, becoming the fourth quarterback in NFL history to do so before the age of 30, joining Brett Favre, Dan Marino, and Peyton Manning.[186] On December 31, in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers, Stafford recorded his 3,000th career completion in his 125th career game, becoming the fastest player to reach the milestone in NFL history.[187] The Lions finished with a 9–7 record, but did not qualify for the playoffs.[188] Stafford ended the season with 4,446 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions – his seventh consecutive season with at least 4,000 passing yards.[189] He led the NFC in passing yards in 2017.[190] He was ranked 31st by his peers for the second consecutive year on the list of the Top 100 NFL Players of 2018.[191]

2018 season[edit]

Going into the 2018 season, Stafford had a new head coach in Matt Patricia.[192] On Monday Night Football on September 10 against the Jets, his season opener, Stafford had four interceptions and the Lions lost the game by a score of 48–17.[193] He rebounded statistically in the following game, a 30–27 loss to the 49ers, with 347 yards and three touchdowns.[194] The Lions got their first win of the season in the following game against the New England Patriots on NBC Sunday Night Football as Stafford recorded 262 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the 26–10 win.[195] Overall, the rest of the season was inconsistent for Stafford and the Lions. He never passed for more than two touchdowns in any game for the rest of the season as the Lions finished with a 6–10 record.[196][197] One memorable game for the Lions was a 31–0 shutout of their rival, the Packers, with Stafford passing for 266 yards and two touchdowns in Week 17.[198] Overall, Stafford finished with 3,777 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.[199]

2019 season[edit]

In Week 1 against the Cardinals, Stafford threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns in the 27–27 tie game.[200] Stafford helped lead the Lions to consectutive wins over the next two games against the Chargers and Eagles.[201][202] The Lions dropped consecutive games against the Chiefs and Packers in Week 4 and Week 6.[203] On October 20, in Week 7 against the Vikings, Stafford threw for 364 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in the 42–30 loss.[204] In Week 7 against the Vikings, Stafford reached 40,000 passing yards in his 147th career game, becoming the fastest quarterback to the reach the milestone.[205] On November 10, 2019, Stafford missed his first game since 2010, ending his streak of 136 consecutive regular-season starts. Stafford's streak was the sixth-longest for a quarterback in league history.[206][207] It was eventually revealed that Stafford was diagnosed with non-displaced fractures in his upper thoracic spine, causing him to miss more time than usual.[208] On December 18, 2019, Stafford was placed on injured reserve after missing the previous six games and the Lions missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.[209] At the time of his shutdown, Stafford was well on pace for a impressive statistical season.[210] He had passed for 2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight games.[203]

2020 season[edit]

Stafford during his final season with the Lions in 2020

At the start of training camp, Stafford was temporarily on the reserve/COVID-19 list due to a false-positive test.[211][212]

Stafford made his return from injury in Week 1 against the Bears. During the game, Stafford threw for 297 yards, one touchdown, and one interception as the Lions lost 27–23.[213] In Week 3 against the Cardinals, Stafford threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns during the 26–23 win. This was the Lions' first win since October 27, 2019.[214] In Week 7 against the Falcons, Stafford threw for 340 yards and the game winning touchdown to tight end T. J. Hockenson with no time left on the clock during the 23–22 win.[215] In Week 8 against the Colts, Stafford threw for 336 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception returned for a touchdown during the 41–21 loss.[216]

On November 4, 2020, Stafford was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list again after being a high-risk close contact with a non-team person who tested positive for COVID-19.[217][218] On November 7, 2020, Stafford was removed from the COVID-19 list after he came back negative for the virus and was cleared for the Lions week 9 game against the Vikings.[219][220] Against the Vikings, Stafford threw for 211 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions before leaving the game in the 4th quarter and was evaluated for a concussion. The Lions would lose 34–20.[221][222]

Stafford made his return from injury in the following week's game against the Washington Football Team. During the game, Stafford threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns during the 30–27 win.[223] In Week 13, against the Chicago Bears, he had 402 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and one interception in the 34–30 victory.[224] In Week 16, against the Buccaneers, Stafford was forced to leave the game in the first quarter due to an ankle injury and did not return during the 47–7 loss.[225] Overall, in the 2020 season, Stafford started all 16 games and finished with 4,084 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.[226]

Los Angeles Rams[edit]

2021 season: Super Bowl LVI[edit]

On March 18, 2021, Stafford was traded to the Rams in a package involving Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.[227]

Stafford made his Rams debut during Sunday Night Football against the Bears. Stafford threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns with a career-best 156.1 passer rating as the Rams won 34–14, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time since the 2009 season.[228][229] Against the Buccaneers, Stafford threw for 343 yards, and four touchdowns as the Rams won 34–24, earning his second NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season.[230][231] Against the Seahawks in Week 5, despite injuring his finger, Stafford threw for 365 yards, a touchdown, and an interception as the Rams won 26–17.[232] In Week 7, Stafford threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a 28–19 win against his former team, the Lions.[233] Starting in Week 13, Stafford helped lead the Rams to a five-game winning streak to aide in playoff positioning.[234] Despite a loss in Week 18 to the 49ers, the Rams won the NFC West in Stafford's first season with the team.[235] Stafford set franchise records for pass completions, pass attempts, and passing yards and tied Kurt Warner's mark for passing touchdowns in a single season.[236] He threw for 4,886 yards, 41 touchdowns, and an NFL leading 17 interceptions thrown as the Rams finished with a 12–5 record.[237][238][239]

In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, Stafford earned his first postseason victory in the 34–11 win over the Cardinals, throwing for 202 yards and two touchdowns, along with 22 rushing yards and scoring a rushing touchdown for the first time since 2016.[240] In Stafford's first career Divisional Round appearance, he threw for 366 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown in the 30–27 win against the Buccaneers.[241]

Playing in the NFC Championship for the first time in his career, Stafford and the Rams defeated the 49ers by a score of 20–17. Despite being down 17–7 heading into the fourth quarter, Stafford managed to drive his team downfield culminating in a touchdown to his wide receiver Cooper Kupp, which cut the deficit to 17–14. After two more drives culminating in field goals, the Rams took the lead with 1:46 to go in the fourth quarter. The game was sealed when Jimmy Garoppolo tossed an interception to linebacker Travin Howard with the clock running out. The victory qualified the Rams for Super Bowl LVI, to be played in the Rams' home stadium, SoFi Stadium. Stafford completed 31 out of 45 passes for 337 yards, two passing touchdowns, and an interception in the game.[242]

Against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, Stafford and the Rams came away victorious on their home field with a final score of 23–20. Scoring started early in the first quarter thanks to a long drive that culminated in a Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown reception. The Bengals managed a field goal to make the score 7–3. Stafford then tossed another touchdown to wide receiver Cooper Kupp on the next possession to extend the lead to 13–3. On the first play of the second half, however, the Bengals retook the lead, 17–13. After field goals by both teams, the Rams trailed by a score of 20–16 in the fourth quarter. Stafford orchestrated a drive in the final minutes that ended with another touchdown pass to Kupp to regain the lead at 23–20. Overall, Stafford completed 26 of his 40 pass attempts for 283 yards, three passing touchdowns, and two interceptions as he earned his first championship ring in his first season with the Rams.[243]

Stafford passed for the second-most yards in a single postseason with 1,188.[244] He became the first quarterback since Eli Manning to lead a fourth-quarter comeback in a Conference Championship and a Super Bowl in the same playoff season.[245] He became the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 6,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in the regular season and postseason combined all while leading a team to a Super Bowl victory in the same season.[246] He was ranked 27th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.[247]

2022 season[edit]

On March 19, 2022, Stafford signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Rams.[248] During the offseason, Stafford underwent an elbow procedure on his right elbow after experiencing pain throughout the previous season.[249]

In the NFL Kickoff Game against the Buffalo Bills, Stafford threw for 240 yards and a touchdown, but threw three interceptions and was sacked seven times in the 31–10 loss.[250] In the game, Stafford became the 12th quarterback in NFL history to reach 50,000 career passing yards.[251] He tied Drew Brees as the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach the mark.[252] In Week 5 against the Cowboys, Stafford completed 28 passes of 42 attempts for 308 passing yards, threw a touchdown pass and an interception in the 22–10 loss.[253]

Stafford was put in concussion protocol following the Rams' week 9 loss to the Buccaneers, where he missed the Rams' week 10 game against the Cardinals. The Cardinals game marked Stafford's first game as a Ram where he would not play.[254][255] Stafford returned in week 11 against the Saints, where he threw for 159 yards and two touchdowns, but left the game in the third quarter after suffering a concussion in the 27–20 loss.[256][257] Following the Rams week 13 loss to the Seahawks, head coach Sean McVay revealed Stafford suffered a spinal cord contusion which would end his season.[258] He was placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2022.[259][260] In nine games, Stafford finished with 2,087 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and eight interceptions.[261] The Rams went 3–6 in the games Stafford played, contributing to a disappointing 5–12 season. The Rams' 12 losses marked the most in NFL history for a defending Super Bowl champion.[262]

2023 season[edit]

Stafford with the Rams in 2023

Stafford returned as the Rams starting quarterback in 2023 after speculations that he might retire due to the injuries he sustained in 2022.[263] In Week 1 against the Seahawks, Stafford completed 24 of 38 passes for 334 yards in a 30–13 victory.[264] In Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts, Stafford passed for 319 yards and threw a game-winning touchdown to rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua in a 29–23 overtime win.[265]

In Week 8 at the Cowboys, Stafford threw for 162 yards and one touchdown but also threw a pick-6 to Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland in a 43–20 loss.[266] Stafford exited the game during the third quarter after injuring his right thumb on a two-point conversion pass from Tutu Atwell, and was replaced at quarterback by Brett Rypien.[267] Stafford was later diagnosed with a sprained UCL and would miss the Week 9 loss at the Packers.[268][269]

Stafford returned as starter in Week 11 against the Seahawks, and threw for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception each in a 17–16 win.[270] In Week 12 at the Cardinals, Stafford threw a season-high four touchdown passes for 229 yards and one interception in a 37–14 victory.[271] Between Week 12 and Week 14, Stafford threw a total of 10 touchdowns and one interception in a three-game stretch after starting out the season throwing for 9 touchdowns and 8 interceiptions.[272] Stafford finished the regular season passing for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions as the Rams finished with a record of 10–7 and clinched a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.[273][274] He was selected to his second Pro Bowl as a reserve for the NFC.[275]

In the Wild Card Round, Stafford and the Rams faced his former team, the Detroit Lions. The game marks the first time that Stafford has returned to Detroit since being traded to Los Angeles.[276] In the game, Stafford completed 25 of 36 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams were eliminated in a 24–23 loss.[277]

NFL career statistics[edit]

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season[edit]

Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg Lng TD Sck SckY Fum Lost
2009 DET 10 10 2–8 201 377 53.3 2,267 6.0 75 13 20 61.0 20 108 5.4 21 2 24 169 4 1
2010 DET 3 3 1–2 57 96 59.4 535 5.6 36 6 1 91.3 4 11 2.8 9 1 4 36 2 1
2011 DET 16 16 10–6 421 663 63.5 5,038 7.6 73 41 16 97.2 22 78 3.5 22 0 36 257 5 1
2012 DET 16 16 4–12 435 727 59.8 4,967 6.8 57 20 17 79.8 35 126 3.6 11 4 29 212 6 4
2013 DET 16 16 7–9 371 634 58.5 4,650 7.3 87 29 19 84.2 37 69 1.9 14 2 23 168 12 4
2014 DET 16 16 11–5 363 602 60.3 4,257 7.1 73 22 12 85.7 43 93 2.2 18 2 45 254 8 3
2015 DET 16 16 7–9 398 592 67.2 4,262 7.2 57 32 13 97.0 44 159 3.6 18 1 44 251 4 2
2016 DET 16 16 9–7 388 594 65.3 4,327 7.3 73 24 10 93.3 37 207 5.6 24 2 37 216 3 2
2017 DET 16 16 9–7 371 565 65.7 4,446 7.9 71 29 10 99.3 29 98 3.4 15 0 47 287 11 7
2018 DET 16 16 6–10 367 555 66.1 3,777 6.8 67 21 11 89.9 25 71 2.8 10 0 40 255 6 4
2019 DET 8 8 3–4–1 187 291 64.3 2,499 8.6 66 19 5 106.0 20 66 3.3 12 0 18 137 5 3
2020 DET 16 16 5–11 339 528 64.2 4,084 7.7 73 26 10 96.3 29 112 3.9 17 0 38 254 2 1
2021 LAR 17 17 12–5 404 601 67.2 4,886 8.1 79 41 17 102.9 32 43 1.3 12 0 30 243 5 2
2022 LAR 9 9 3–6 206 303 68.0 2,087 6.9 75 10 8 87.4 13 9 0.7 4 1 29 208 5 3
2023 LAR 15 15 9–6 326 521 62.6 3,965 7.6 80 24 11 92.5 21 65 3.1 9 0 30 205 0 0
Career 206 206 98–107–1 4,834 7,649 63.2 56,047 7.3 87 357 180 91.0 411 1,315 3.2 24 15 474 3,152 78 38

Postseason[edit]

Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg Lng TD Sck SckY Fum Lost
2011 DET 1 1 0–1 28 43 65.1 380 8.8 42 3 2 97.0 2 1 0.5 1 1 0 0 0 0
2014 DET 1 1 0–1 28 42 66.7 323 7.7 51 1 1 87.7 1 9 9.0 9 0 3 16 2 2
2016 DET 1 1 0–1 18 32 56.3 205 6.4 30 0 0 75.7 3 15 5.0 11 0 3 23 0 0
2021 LAR 4 4 4–0 98 140 70.0 1,188 8.5 70 9 3 108.3 18 42 2.3 14 2 7 42 0 0
2023 LAR 1 1 0–1 25 36 69.4 367 10.2 50 2 0 120.9 0 0 0.0 0 0 2 10 0 0
Career 8 8 4–4 197 293 67.2 2,463 8.4 70 15 6 101.7 24 67 2.8 14 3 15 91 2 2

Career awards and honors[edit]

College awards[edit]

NFL awards[edit]

NFL records[edit]

  • Most passing touchdowns in a single game by a rookie quarterback: 5 (tied with Ray Buivid, Jameis Winston, Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones, and C. J. Stroud)[288]
  • Youngest quarterback to throw for at least five touchdowns in a single game (21 years, 288 days) (November 22, 2009, against the Cleveland Browns)[289]
  • First player in NFL history to complete 60% or more of all passes in each game in a season (2015)[290]
  • Most games with at least one touchdown pass in a season: 17 (2021)[291]
  • Most consecutive 350+ yards passing games: 4 (2011–2012, tied with Drew Brees)[292]
  • Most passing yards thrown for in a single game without a touchdown pass: (443, December 22, 2012, against the Atlanta Falcons)[293]
  • Most pass attempts per game, season: 45.44, 2012[294]
  • Most games with 40+ pass attempts in a season: 13 (2012)[295]
  • First player to complete 60% or more of passes in every game in a season (2015)[296][297]
  • Fastest player to reach 30,000 career passing yards (109 games played)[298]
  • Fastest player to reach 35,000 career passing yards (126 games played)[299]
  • Fastest player to reach 40,000 career passing yards (147 games played)[205]
  • Fastest player to reach 45,000 career passing yards (165 games played)[300]
  • Fastest player to reach 50,000 career passing yards (183 games played, tied with Drew Brees)[301]
  • Fastest player to reach 3,000 completions (125 games played)[302]
  • Most passing yards in first 100 games (27,890)[303]
  • Most passing yards per game in playoffs, career (307.9)[304]
  • Most fourth-quarter comebacks in a season: 8 (2016)[1]
  • Most game-winning drives in a single season: 8 (2016)[305]

Detroit Lions franchise records[edit]

  • Most career pass completions – 3,898 (2009–2020)[306]
  • Most passing completions in a single season – 435 (2012)[307]
  • Most career pass attempts – 6,224 (2009–2020)[306]
  • Most career interceptions – 144[306]
  • Most passing attempts in a game – 63 (November 13, 2011, against the Chicago Bears)[308]
  • Highest career completion percentage – 62.6% (2009–2020)[309]
  • Highest completion percentage in a single season – 67.2% (2015)[310](tied with Jared Goff (2021))[311]
  • Highest completion percentage in a game – 88.0% (December 21, 2015, vs. New Orleans Saints)[312]
  • Most career passing yards – 45,109 (2009–2020)[306]
  • Most passing yards in a single season – 5,038 (2011)[310]
  • Most passing yards in a game – 520 (January 1, 2012, vs. Green Bay Packers)[313]
  • Most career 4,000 passing yard seasons – 8[306]
  • Most consecutive seasons with 4,000 passing yards – 7 (2011–2017)[314]
  • Most career games with 400+ passing yards – 10 (2009–2020)[315][316]
  • Most career games with 300+ passing yards – 49 (2009–2020)[317]
  • Most games with 300+ passing yards in a single season – 8 (2011 and 2012)[318]
  • Most passing touchdowns in a single season – 41 (2011)[310]
  • Most passing touchdowns in a game – 5 (tied with Gary Danielson)[319]
  • Most career passing touchdowns – 282 (2009–2020)[306]
  • Most games in a season with at least one passing touchdown – 16 (2011)[320]
  • Lowest career interception percentage – 2.3% (2009–2020)[306]
  • Most career yards per game – 273.4 (2009–2020)[306]
  • Most yards per game in a single season – 314.9 (2011)[321]
  • Highest career passer rating – 89.9 (2009–2020)[306]
  • Highest passer rating in a single season – 106.0 (2017)[322]
  • Most career fourth quarter comeback wins – 31[323]
  • Most fourth-quarter comeback wins in a single season – 8 (2016) (NFL record)[1]
  • Most career game-winning drives – 38[323]
  • Most game-winning drives in a single season – 8 (2016) (NFL record)[305]
  • Most consecutive completed pass attempts in a game – 14 (December 4, 2016, vs. New Orleans Saints)[324]
  • Most yards per pass attempts, career (minimum 1,500 attempts) 7.2 (tied with Bobby Layne)[306]
  • Most wins as a starting quarterback, career: 74[306]
  • Most losses as a starting quarterback, career: 90[306]
  • Most wins as a starting quarterback, single-season: 11 (2014) (tied with Milt Plum)[321]

Los Angeles Rams franchise records[edit]

  • Most touchdown passes in a single season – 41 (2021) (tied with Kurt Warner)[236]
  • Most passing yards in a single season – 4,886 (2021)[236]
  • Most pass completions in a single season – 404 (2021)[236]

Personal life[edit]

At Georgia, Stafford met cheerleader Kelly Hall, the sister of former NFL player and current Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers coach Chad Hall. They were married on April 4, 2015,[325] and have four daughters.[326][327][328][329] In April 2019, Kelly Stafford stated on Instagram that she had a brain tumor.[330] She underwent a 12-hour surgery on April 17, 2019.[331] Stafford took time off from being with the Lions, as training camp started up shortly after Kelly's surgery.[332]

In 2015, Stafford donated $1 million to the S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center.[333] In 2018, Stafford was the Lions' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.[334] Prior to the 2020 NFL season, the Stafford family donated $1.5 million to the University of Georgia.[335] The donation funded social justice initiatives and scholarships for needy students.[336] Around 2021, the Stafford family donated $1 million with the purpose of funding an educational center in Detroit after the couple had left for Los Angeles.[337]

Stafford is the godfather of Dylan Raiola who is the top football recruit in 2024.[338] Raiola is the son of Dominic Raiola who was teammates with Stafford with the Lions from 2009 to 2014.[339]

During the 2023 NFL season, Stafford agreed to appear in the second season of the Netflix streaming series Quarterback.[340]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "NFL Fourth Quarter Comebacks Single-Season Leaders (since 1960)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "NFL Passing Yards per Game Career Playoff Leaders". ProFootballReference.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "Matthew Stafford NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  4. ^ "Leaders Index". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "Stafford leads Rams rally to clinch Super Bowl berth after downing 49ers". Yahoo Sport UK. January 30, 2022. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  6. ^ Davis, Todd (August 29, 2017). "Highland Park Grads Now Highest Paid in NFL, MLB". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Pro-style quarterbacks 2006". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2005.
  8. ^ "2006 Prospect Ranking". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014.
  9. ^ "Schedule – Highland Park Scots 2005 Football (Dallas, TX)". MaxPreps.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  10. ^ Wixon, Matt (May 21, 2015). "98 days away: #TBT Highland Park QB Matthew Stafford". Dallas News. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  11. ^ Askeland, Kevin (July 25, 2012). "Top 10 most memorable football games of the MaxPreps era". MaxPreps.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Matthew Stafford Bio". Georgia Bulldogs Athletics. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  13. ^ Stumpf, Brian (November 24, 2009). "Football Then & Now: McCoy, Stafford, Williams". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  14. ^ "Matthew Stafford, 2006 Pro Style Quarterback". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  15. ^ Kowalski, Tom (January 29, 2009). "ESPN's Mel Kiper lauded Matthew Stafford as a high school QB, so he won't bail on him now". Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  16. ^ "10 Smartest NFL Players". College Consensus. December 20, 2018. Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  17. ^ Gosselin, Rick (February 9, 2022). "Draft Review: Matthew Stafford, worth a 13-year wait". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  18. ^ "Rookie Watch: Stafford". Sports Illustrated. July 16, 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  19. ^ Weiszer, Marc (April 7, 2012). "Appeal of enrolling early increasing for Georgia recruits". Online Athens. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  20. ^ Vitale, Joe (August 28, 2021). "7 days until Georgia football: Honoring Matthew Stafford". University of Georgia Wire. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  21. ^ Cwalinski, Jamie (April 10, 2006). "Richt not concerned with interceptions". The Red and Black. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  22. ^ "Western Kentucky at Georgia Box Score, September 2, 2006". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  23. ^ Schlabach, Mark (September 10, 2006). "Georgia QB Tereshinski out 4–6 weeks with ankle sprain". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  24. ^ "Bulldogs Open SEC Play With 18–0 Win At South Carolina". University of Georgia Athletics. September 10, 2006. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  25. ^ Gilbert, James (September 16, 2006). "No. 10 Georgia Puts Up Back-to-Back Shutouts, 34–0". WLTX. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  26. ^ "2006 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  27. ^ "Vols win wild one over No. 9 Georgia, 51–33". University of Tennessee Athletics. Associated Press. October 7, 2006. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  28. ^ "Vanderbilt Upsets Georgia On Homecoming, 24–22". University of Georgia Athletics. October 14, 2006. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  29. ^ Odum, Charles. "Upset Bid Falls Short As Georgia Holds Off State, 27–24". Mississippi State Bulldogs Athletics. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  30. ^ Gilbert, James (November 11, 2006). "Georgia Digs Auburn's Grave, 37–15". WLTX. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  31. ^ "Dawgs Win, 15–12". Rivals.com. November 25, 2006. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  32. ^ Wood, Norm (December 31, 2006). "A Hokie Collapse". Daily Press. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  33. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2006 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  34. ^ Glier, Ray (September 2, 2007). "Georgia Uses Depth and Speed to Deny Oklahoma State's Defense". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  35. ^ "South Carolina at Georgia Box Score, September 8, 2007". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  36. ^ "Western Carolina at Georgia Box Score, September 15, 2007". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  37. ^ Adams, Kipp (September 22, 2016). "UGA beats Alabama in overtime". Dawgs247. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  38. ^ Starrs, Chris (October 1, 2015). "Remember when... Mikey Henderson caught Matt Stafford's pass to beat Alabama in overtime". Athens Banner-Herald. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  39. ^ a b c "2007 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  40. ^ Garbin, Patrick (June 9, 2018). "UGASports' 100-Day Countdown of Plays—Day 84". uga.rivals.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  41. ^ Kelley, Kevin (October 29, 2007). "Georgia stomps the Chomp, beats Florida in Jacksonville 42–30". SicEmDawgs.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  42. ^ "1982 Georgia Bulldogs Football Schedule". Sicemdawgs.com. July 8, 2007. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  43. ^ "1982 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  44. ^ Thamel, Pete (January 2, 2008). "Georgia Runs Over Hawaii in Sugar Bowl, 41–10". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  45. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2007 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  46. ^ "2007 Southeastern Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  47. ^ "2007 Polls". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  48. ^ "Georgia Bulldogs AP Poll History". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  49. ^ a b c "2008 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  50. ^ Glier, Ray (September 28, 2008). "Rebuilt Alabama Unveils Its Power". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  51. ^ "Georgia vs Florida Box Score, November 1, 2008". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  52. ^ "Tennessee at Georgia Box Score, October 11, 2008". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  53. ^ "Georgia at Kentucky Box Score, November 8, 2008". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  54. ^ "No. 18 Georgia Tech beats No. 13 Georgia 45–42". HeraldNet.com. Associated Press. November 29, 2008. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  55. ^ "Georgia Bulldogs Passing". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  56. ^ "2008 Southeastern Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  57. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2008 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  58. ^ "Stafford, No. 15 Bulldogs get hot in second half to beat No. 18 Spartans". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 1, 2009. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  59. ^ "Georgia's Stafford, Moreno Enter 2009 NFL Draft". NCAA.com. January 7, 2009. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  60. ^ Wittry, Andy (February 13, 2022). "Matthew Stafford's Georgia career: College football stats, highlights, records". www.ncaa.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  61. ^ "2006 SEC Football All-Freshman Team Announced". SEC Sports. September 30, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  62. ^ Farrier, John (June 23, 2010). "2010 Detroit Lions Sophomore Leadership on Display: Matthew Stafford". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  63. ^ "2008 All-SEC Football Team". Capstone Report. December 9, 2008. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  64. ^ Wangrin, Mark (January 1, 2009). "Stocco, Badgers Win Capital One Bowl". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  65. ^ "UGA Football Passing Records". SicEmDawgs.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  66. ^ "2014 Georgia Football Media Guide". issuu. July 21, 2014. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  67. ^ Prisco, Pete (April 28, 2008). "Drafting '09: Georgia QB Stafford starts out as top dog". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008.
  68. ^ Perloff, Andrew (April 29, 2008). "2009 Mock Draft". CNNSI.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008.
  69. ^ "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  70. ^ Morgan, James (May 28, 2022). "Every No. 1 NFL draft pick from the University of Georgia". University of Georgia Wire. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  71. ^ "NFL and AFL Draft History". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  72. ^ Clayton, John (April 24, 2009). "Sources: Matthew Stafford agrees to $41.7M, six-year deal with Detroit Lions". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  73. ^ Clayton, John (April 25, 2009). "Stafford, Lions agree to six-year, $41.7M deal". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  74. ^ "Matthew Stafford: Combine Stats at NFL.com". NFL.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  75. ^ "Matthew Stafford, Georgia, QB, 2009 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  76. ^ Pompei, Dan (March 22, 2009). "Georgia's Matthew Stafford stands out with NFL Wonderlic score". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on May 1, 2009.
  77. ^ "Lions to start No. 1 overall pick Stafford at QB". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 7, 2009. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  78. ^ Kowalski, Tom (September 7, 2009). "Matthew Stafford named Lions' starting QB; coach Jim Schwartz: this isn't an experiment". mlive.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  79. ^ "Lions to start Stafford at QB". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Associated Press. September 7, 2009. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  80. ^ Kowalski, Tom (September 8, 2009). "Teammates back Matthew Stafford as Lions' starting quarterback; 'he's way beyond his years'". mlive.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  81. ^ Martel, Brett (September 13, 2009). "Brees sharp, extends Lions' losing streak, 45–27". FOX News. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  82. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – September 20th, 2009". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  83. ^ "Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions – September 27th, 2009". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  84. ^ Kowalski, Tom (September 28, 2009). "Lions beat Redskins to snap 19-game losing streak; 'we got King Kong off our back'". mlive. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  85. ^ "Stafford's TD at :00 wins game after Browns called for interference on Hail Mary". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 22, 2009. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  86. ^ Wywrot, Chrissie (November 24, 2009). "Stafford Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week". Detroit Lions.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  87. ^ "QB Matthew Stafford Voted Week 11 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week". Detroit Lions. November 27, 2009. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  88. ^ Monkovic, Toni (November 29, 2009). "Matthew Stafford Had 'Most Dramatic Player Wiring'". The Fifth Down. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  89. ^ Lage, Larry (November 26, 2009). "Packers win 34–12 in Detroit's sixth straight Thanksgiving loss". The Oakland Press. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  90. ^ Clayton, John (December 24, 2009). "Lions rookie QB Stafford to have knee surgery". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  91. ^ "2009 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  92. ^ "Calvin Johnson's TD catch overruled; Bears survive vs. Lions". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 12, 2010. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  93. ^ Kowalski, Tom (September 14, 2010). "Lions' Matthew Stafford could miss 4–6 weeks – or less". Michigan Live. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  94. ^ Casselberry, Ian (November 7, 2010). "Lions' Matthew Stafford Leaves Game With Apparent Shoulder Injury". SB Nation Detroit. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  95. ^ Kowalski, Tom (January 22, 2011). "Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford undergoes shoulder surgery". Michigan Live. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  96. ^ Smith, Michael David (January 21, 2011). "Matthew Stafford has shoulder surgery". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  97. ^ "2010 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  98. ^ "Raised expectations no problem for Lions". Sports Illustrated. October 11, 2011. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  99. ^ Matay, Reinhold (September 11, 2011). "Stafford throws for 305 yards, 3 TDs in Lions' 27–20 win over Buccaneers". The Hamilton Spectator. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  100. ^ Lage, Larry (September 18, 2011). "Lions 48, Chiefs 3: Detroit gets historically big victory". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  101. ^ "Fans vote Stafford Week 2 FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week". Detroit Lions. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  102. ^ Krawczynski, Jon (September 25, 2011). "Stafford rallies Lions to 26–23 OT win at Vikings". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  103. ^ "Down 24, Stafford leads Lions past Cowboys 34–30". The Eagle. October 2, 2011. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  104. ^ "Detroit Lions 5–0 after beating rival Bears". CBS News. Associated Press. October 11, 2011. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  105. ^ "Moore Ejected In Bears' Win". CBS – Chicago. Associated Press. November 13, 2011. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  106. ^ Richardson, Anwar S. (November 14, 2011). "Matthew Stafford tosses four interceptions as Detroit Lions mauled by Chicago Bears, 37–13". MLive.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  107. ^ "Bears DB Moore ejected after fight with Lions QB Stafford". NFL.com. Associated Press. November 13, 2011. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  108. ^ Smith, Michael David (November 18, 2011). "Stafford fined $7,500; Moore fined $15,000". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  109. ^ Lage, Larry (November 20, 2011). "Stafford-led Lions rally to beat Panthers 49–35". The Salt Lake Tribune. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 1, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  110. ^ "Matthew Stafford's 5th TD seals comeback win for Lions over Panthers". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 20, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  111. ^ Jenkins, Chris (January 1, 2012). "Lions can't stop Packers QB Flynn in 45–41 loss". NFL.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  112. ^ "Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – January 1st, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  113. ^ "Patriots' Brady now No. 2 on single-season passing list". NFL.com. Associated Press. January 1, 2012. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  114. ^ "Packers' Backup Flynn Throws For Team Record Six Touchdowns In Win". TSN. Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012.
  115. ^ "Players with multiple games with at least five passing touchdowns in a single game, NFL history". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  116. ^ Rathee, Aabha (November 1, 2015). "NFL: 10 Players With the Most Touchdowns in One Season". Sportscasting. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  117. ^ "2011 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  118. ^ "Detroit Lions Team Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  119. ^ Martel, Brett (January 7, 2012). "Brees, Saints shred the Lions, 45–28". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  120. ^ Twentyman, Tim (January 6, 2012). "Stafford, Suh, and Delmas named Pro Bowl alternates". Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  121. ^ Yuille, Sean (January 16, 2012). "Matthew Stafford Voted Comeback Player Of The Year By PFW/PFWA". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  122. ^ "AP Comeback Player of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  123. ^ "2012 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  124. ^ Trister, Noah (September 9, 2012). "Stafford's TD pass gives Lions 27–23 win over Rams". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  125. ^ Keeney, Tim (September 16, 2012). "Defense Leads San Francisco 49ers to 27–19 Win over Detroit Lions". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  126. ^ "Lions lose Matthew Stafford to injury; Titans pull off overtime stunner". NFL.com. Associated Press. September 23, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  127. ^ Noble, Dane (September 30, 2012). "Matt Stafford critical fumble overturned in Lions". SBNation.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  128. ^ "Stafford rallies Lions to OT win". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. October 15, 2012. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  129. ^ "Lions top Seahawks 28–24 with 20 seconds left". Daily Herald. Associated Press. October 28, 2012. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  130. ^ Long, Mark (November 5, 2012). "Jaguars still winless at home". The St. Augustine Record. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  131. ^ Briggs, David (December 31, 2012). "Lions end with 8-game losing skid". Toledo Blade. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  132. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions – December 22nd, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  133. ^ "NFL Passes Completed Single-Season Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  134. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  135. ^ "2013 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  136. ^ McIntyre, Brian (July 9, 2013). "Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford on verge of three-year contract extension". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013.
  137. ^ Trister, Noah (September 30, 2012). "Stafford, Lions beat rival Bears 40–32". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  138. ^ Meinke, Kyle (September 30, 2013). "Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford off to best 50-game start in NFL history". Michigan Live. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  139. ^ Pasche, Paula (September 29, 2013). "Pettigrew comes up big, Delmas too". The Oakland Press. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  140. ^ Meinke, Kyle (September 29, 2013). "Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford off to best 50-game start in NFL history". MLive.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  141. ^ "Sly Stafford Makes Big Day by Johnson Count for Lions". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 27, 2013. Archived from the original on November 4, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  142. ^ Chase, Chris (October 27, 2013). "Matthew Stafford fooled the Cowboys with a quarterback sneak for the win". For The Win. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  143. ^ "2013 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  144. ^ Jones, Lindsay H. (December 30, 2013). "Lions fire coach Jim Schwartz after failing to reach playoffs". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  145. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  146. ^ "2014 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  147. ^ Patra, Kevin (January 14, 2014). "Jim Caldwell hired by Detroit Lions as next coach". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  148. ^ "2014 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  149. ^ "Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson lead Lions past Giants, 35–14". Daily Press. Associated Press. September 9, 2014. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  150. ^ Gauruder, Dana (November 27, 2014). "Stafford passes Detroit Lions past Chicago Bears". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  151. ^ "Stafford Sets Record For Fastest In NFL History To 20,000 Passing Yards". Daily Detroit. November 17, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  152. ^ "2014 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  153. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  154. ^ Walker, Jade (January 5, 2015). "Pass Interference Or Not? That Is The Question". HuffPost. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  155. ^ White, R.J. (January 4, 2015). "Lions QB Matthew Stafford takes Wild Card loss vs. Cowboys". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  156. ^ "2014 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  157. ^ Stapleton, Arnie (January 19, 2015). "Stafford Replaces Peyton Manning In Pro Bowl". CBS – Detroit. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  158. ^ Birkett, Dave (January 25, 2015). "Lions' Stafford named Offensive MVP in first Pro Bowl". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  159. ^ Birkett, Dave (October 18, 2015). "Lions' 0–5 start puzzling, but they're far from 0–16 team". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  160. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2015 Game Log (Games 1–5)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  161. ^ "Lions earn first win, 37–34 over Bears in OT". USA TODAY. Associated Press. October 19, 2015. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  162. ^ "Stafford throws 5 TD passes, Lions beat Eagles 45–14". USA TODAY. Associated Press. November 26, 2015. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  163. ^ "NFL players by total number of games with at least five passing touchdowns, NFL history". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  164. ^ Rothstein, Michael (December 13, 2015). "Lions QB Matthew Stafford reaches 25,000 yards passing in 90 games". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  165. ^ Wesseling, Chris (December 23, 2015). "Streaking Matthew Stafford leads Lions past Saints". NFL.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  166. ^ "Stafford leads Lions past Saints, 35–27". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 21, 2015. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  167. ^ Kacsmar, Scott (February 23, 2016). "Matthew Stafford's Obscure Record". Football Outsiders. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  168. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  169. ^ "2015 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  170. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (September 11, 2016). "Stafford outduels Luck in Lions' late win over Colts". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  171. ^ Lage, Larry (October 9, 2016). "Prater's kick, Slay's pick give Lions 24–23 win over Eagles". WBFF. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  172. ^ Pasche, Paula (October 16, 2016). "Detroit Lions – Stafford leads comeback in 31–28 win over Rams". The Oakland Press. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  173. ^ "Trail in fourth quarter? Nothing new for Lions". ESPN.com. November 24, 2016. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  174. ^ Monarrez, Carlos (December 12, 2016). "Experts: Finger injury shouldn't hamper Lions' Matthew Stafford much". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  175. ^ "2016 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  176. ^ Birkett, Dave (January 7, 2017). "Lions falter in another playoff game, 26–6 in Seattle". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  177. ^ Demara, Max (January 21, 2017). "Detroit Lions name Matthew Stafford 2016 offensive MVP". 247Sports. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  178. ^ DeMara, Max (January 21, 2017). "Detroit Lions name Matthew Stafford 2016 offensive MVP". Detroit Lions. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  179. ^ "2017 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  180. ^ Birkett, Dave (August 28, 2017). "Lions, Matthew Stafford agree to 5-year contract extension; $27 million a year". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  181. ^ Shook, Nick (August 28, 2017). "Lions, Matthew Stafford agree to $135M extension". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  182. ^ Lage, Larry (September 10, 2017). "Matthew Stafford throws 4 TD passes; Lions rally past Cardinals". WXYZ Detroit. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  183. ^ "Lions prep for Giants with Odell Beckham Jr". FOX Sports. Associated Press. September 17, 2017. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  184. ^ Rothstein, Michael (September 18, 2017). "Matthew Stafford fights off apparent eye poke to pass Bob Griese on TD list". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  185. ^ Rothstein, Michael (October 31, 2017). "Matthew Stafford's 400-yard, no-touchdown game? It has happened before". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  186. ^ Birkett, Dave (November 6, 2017). "Lions' Matthew Stafford joins exclusive club with 200th career TD pass". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  187. ^ Rothstein, Michael (December 31, 2017). "Matthew Stafford fastest in NFL history to 3,000 completions". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  188. ^ "2017 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  189. ^ Atkins, Nate (December 31, 2017). "Matthew Stafford is the fastest QB in NFL history to 3,000 completions". MLive. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  190. ^ "2017 NFL Passing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  191. ^ "2018 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  192. ^ Lewis, Edward (February 5, 2018). "Patriots DC Matt Patricia named head coach of Lions". NFL.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  193. ^ Birkett, Dave (September 10, 2018). "Jets 48, Lions 17: Matt Patricia era begins in embarrassing fashion". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  194. ^ "Lions' late rally falls short vs. 49ers". Reuters. September 17, 2018. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  195. ^ "Matt Patricia-led Lions beat Bill Belichick, Patriots 26–10". USA TODAY. Associated Press. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  196. ^ "2018 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  197. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  198. ^ "Matthew Stafford-led Detroit Lions blank Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers". UPI. December 30, 2018. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  199. ^ Mulholland, Mike (January 21, 2019). "Lions 2018 review: Matthew Stafford has to get right again". Michigan Live. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  200. ^ Brandt, David (September 8, 2019). "Murray, Cardinals settle for 27–27 tie vs. Lions". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  201. ^ "Stafford overcomes mistakes to help Lions top Chargers 13–10". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 15, 2019. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  202. ^ Birkett, Dave (September 22, 2019). "Lions grades: Matthew Stafford, WRs make plays, but both lines must improve". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  203. ^ a b "Matthew Stafford 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  204. ^ "Cousins has 4 TD passes as Vikings surge past Lions 42–30". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 20, 2019. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  205. ^ a b Rogers, Justin (October 20, 2019). "Lions' Matthew Stafford becomes fastest to 40,000 career passing yards". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  206. ^ Rapoport, Ian (November 10, 2019). "Matthew Stafford (back/hip) out vs. Bears; Jeff Driskel to start". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  207. ^ Kerr, Jeff (November 10, 2019). "Matthew Stafford reportedly out for Lions, ends consecutive starts streak at 136 games". CBSsports.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  208. ^ Gordon, Grant (November 17, 2019). "Matthew Stafford (back) could miss up to six weeks". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  209. ^ Twentyman, Tim (December 17, 2019). "Lions place quarterback Matthew Stafford on Reserve/Injured". DetroitLions.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  210. ^ DeMara, Max (May 12, 2020). "Stats Prove Lions' Matthew Stafford Was Robbed From MVP Level Season". Heavy.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  211. ^ Rothstein, Michael (August 1, 2020). "Lions place QB Matthew Stafford on reserve/COVID-19 list". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  212. ^ "Statement from the Detroit Lions". DetroitLions.com. August 4, 2020. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  213. ^ "Trubisky throws 3 TDs in 4th to help Bears beat Lions 27–23". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 13, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  214. ^ "Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals – September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  215. ^ "Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons – October 25th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  216. ^ "Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions – November 1st, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  217. ^ "Detroit Lions place QB Matthew Stafford on reserve/COVID list". NFL.com. November 4, 2020. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  218. ^ Birkett, Dave (November 4, 2020). "Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford back for second stint on reserve/COVID-19 list". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  219. ^ Scott, Jelani (November 7, 2020). "Lions activate QB Matthew Stafford off reserve/COVID-19 list". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  220. ^ Rapoport, Ian; Pelissero, Tom (November 8, 2020). "Lions QB Matthew Stafford cleared to play after week in isolation". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  221. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (November 8, 2020). "Lions QB Matthew Stafford exits early in loss to Vikings, cleared from concussion protocol". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  222. ^ Birkett, Dave (November 8, 2020). "Detroit Lions humiliated by Vikings, 34–20, as Matthew Stafford leaves with concussion". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  223. ^ "Washington Football Team at Detroit Lions – November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  224. ^ "Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – December 6th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  225. ^ "Lions QB Stafford leaves Buccaneers game with ankle injury". pro32.ap.org. December 26, 2020. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  226. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  227. ^ Jackson, Stu (March 18, 2021). "Rams trade Jared Goff, future draft picks to Lions for Matthew Stafford". Los Angeles Rams. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  228. ^ Trotter, Jim (September 13, 2021). "Matthew Stafford leads Rams to resounding victory over Bears in Los Angeles debut". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  229. ^ Gordon, Grant (September 15, 2021). "Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Rams QB Matthew Stafford lead Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  230. ^ Benjamin, Cody (September 26, 2021). "Rams vs. Buccaneers score, takeaways: Matthew Stafford outduels Tom Brady as Los Angeles stays undefeated". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  231. ^ Gordon, Grant (September 29, 2021). "Record-setting Ravens kicker Justin Tucker leads Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  232. ^ Gordon, Grant (October 8, 2021). "Rams QB Matthew Stafford 'popped' out finger, 'threw it back in' during Thursday's win". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  233. ^ Thiry, Lindsey; Woodyard, Eric (October 24, 2021). "Rams QB Matthew Stafford throws for 3 TDs in win over former Lions team: 'Glad to have this one over with'". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  234. ^ Cothrel, Nicholas (January 2, 2022). "Rams Gut Out 20–19 Win Over Ravens, Extending Win Streak to Five Games With Playoffs Nearing". Sports Illustrated LA Rams News, Analysis and More. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  235. ^ DaSilva, Cameron (January 10, 2022). "Rams win NFC West for 3rd time under Sean McVay – albeit, in bittersweet fashion". Rams Wire. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  236. ^ a b c d "Cleveland/LA/St. Louis Rams Single-Season Passing Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  237. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  238. ^ "2021 Los Angeles Rams Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  239. ^ "2021 NFL Passing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  240. ^ "NFL playoffs: Rams' Matthew Stafford secures first postseason win with beatdown of Cardinals". The Athletic. January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  241. ^ Henderson, Brady (January 23, 2022). "Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams outlast Tampa Bay Buccaneers in memorable playoff game that was 'a whole lot of fun'". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  242. ^ Polacek, Scott (January 31, 2022). "Matthew Stafford, Rams Rally Past Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers, Advance to 2022 Super Bowl". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  243. ^ Polacek, Scott (February 14, 2022). "Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp Lift Rams over Joe Burrow, Bengals to Win Super Bowl 56". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  244. ^ "NFL Passing Yards Single-Season Playoffs Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  245. ^ McVeigh, Griffin (February 15, 2022). "Dan Orlovsky makes bold declaration on Matt Stafford's Super Bowl performance". On3. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  246. ^ Breech, John (February 17, 2022). "Matthew Stafford just pulled off a QB feat that not even Tom Brady or Peyton Manning ever accomplished". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  247. ^ "2022 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  248. ^ Maya, Adam (March 19, 2022). "Rams QB Matthew Stafford signs four-year, $160M extension". NFL.com. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  249. ^ Barshop, Sarah (September 8, 2022). "Sources: Stafford had offseason elbow procedure". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  250. ^ Iyer, Vinnie (September 9, 2022). "Matthew Stafford has lost it, Josh Allen is already MVP, Von Miller gives Buffalo a Super 'D': Bills-Rams overreactions". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  251. ^ DaSilva, Cameron (September 9, 2022). "Matthew Stafford becomes 12th QB to reach 50,000 yards, tied for fastest to get there". Rams Wire. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  252. ^ Kerr, Jeff (September 8, 2022). "Matthew Stafford matches Drew Brees for quickest to 50,000 passing yards in NFL history". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  253. ^ Barshop, Sarah (October 10, 2022). "Sean McVay reflected on Rams' struggles that Stafford needs help". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  254. ^ Klein, Gary (November 9, 2022). "More Rams trouble: Quarterback Matthew Stafford in concussion protocol". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  255. ^ Arthur, Kenneth (November 13, 2022). "Matthew Stafford to miss first game since joining Rams". Turf Show Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  256. ^ Perez, Daniela (November 20, 2022). "Rams QB Matthew Stafford Evaluated for Concussion After Hit vs. Saints". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  257. ^ Klein, Gary (November 21, 2022). "Seasons for Matthew Stafford, Rams hang in balance as QB is evaluated for concussion". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  258. ^ Jackson, Stu (December 4, 2022). "McVay: Matthew Stafford has spinal cord contusion, "good chance" he's done for 2022 season". Los Angeles Rams. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  259. ^ Simmons, Myles (December 3, 2022). "Rams place Matthew Stafford on injured reserve". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  260. ^ Rodrigue, Jourdan (December 3, 2022). "Rams place QB Matthew Stafford on IR". The Athletic. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  261. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  262. ^ DaSilva, Cameron (January 2, 2023). "Rams set NFL record for most losses by defending Super Bowl champion". Rams Wire. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  263. ^ Butler, Alex (December 20, 2022). "Rams' Matthew Stafford ends retirement speculation, plans to return in 2023". UPI. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  264. ^ Jackson, Stu (September 10, 2023). "Game Recap: Big days from Kyren Williams, Cam Akers, Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell lead Rams to 30–13 season-opening road victory over Seahawks". TheRams.com. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  265. ^ "Stafford overcomes injury to throw winning TD pass to Nacua in OT to give Rams 29–23 win over Colts". CBS Sports. Associated Press. October 1, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  266. ^ Dixon, Schuyler (October 29, 2023). "Prescott throws 4 TDs, Bland gets 3rd pick-6 of season as Cowboys rout Rams 43–20". AP.com. Associated Press. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  267. ^ Gordon, Grant (October 29, 2023). "Rams QB Matthew Stafford leaves loss to Cowboys with thumb injury". NFL.com. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  268. ^ Barshop, Sarah (October 30, 2023). "Rams QB Matthew Stafford day-to-day with UCL sprain in thumb". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  269. ^ Macri, Jonathan (November 5, 2023). "NFL Week 9 Game Recap: Green Bay Packers 20, Los Angeles Rams 3". PFF.com. Pro Football Focus. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  270. ^ Macri, Jonathan (November 20, 2023). "NFL Week 11 Game Recap: Los Angeles Rams 17, Seattle Seahawks 16". PFF.com. Pro Football Focus. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  271. ^ Jackson, Stu (November 26, 2023). "Game Recap: Rams blow out Cardinals 37–14 in Arizona for second-straight win". TheRams.com. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  272. ^ DaSilva, Cameron (December 11, 2023). "Matthew Stafford's recent 3-game stretch is among the best of his career". Rams Wire. USA Today. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  273. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  274. ^ "Carson Wentz leads the Rams to the NFC's 6th seed with a 21–20 win over the 49ers". CBS News – Los Angeles. Associated Press. January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  275. ^ Alfano, Jonathan (January 3, 2024). "Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua Headline Rams Selected To Pro Bowl". Rams Digest. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  276. ^ "Matthew Stafford loves Detroit, but embraces being "the bad guy" as he returns for Rams-Lions game". CBS News – Detroit. Associated Press. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  277. ^ "Jared Goff leads Lions to first playoff win in 32 years, 24–23 over Matthew Stafford and the Rams". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  278. ^ a b "Matthew Stafford (QB): Bio, News, Stats & more". Los Angeles Rams. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  279. ^ a b Henderson, Brady (February 14, 2022). "L.A. story: All-in approach pays off as Rams win Super Bowl LVI in home stadium". ESPN. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  280. ^ Seifert, Kevin (February 5, 2012). "Matthew Stafford wins comeback award". ESPN. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  281. ^ "2014 Pro Bowl: Complete roster". National Football League. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  282. ^ Reisman, Jeremy (September 29, 2019). "Detroit Lions announce All-Time Team, including Matthew Stafford". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  283. ^ "Matthew Stafford Wins FedEx Air Player Of The Week". CBS News. September 23, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  284. ^ Yuille, Sean (November 26, 2011). "Lions Notes: 7–4 Isn't The End Of The World". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  285. ^ "Players of the Week". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  286. ^ Simmons, Myles (September 15, 2021). "Matthew Stafford is the NFC offensive player of the week". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  287. ^ Cothrel, Nicholas (September 29, 2021). "Rams QB Matthew Stafford Wins NFC Offensive Player of the Week Award". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  288. ^ "Most passing touchdowns by a rookie in a single game, NFL history". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  289. ^ "Youngest quarterbacks to throw five or more touchdowns in a single game, NFL history". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  290. ^ "Most games with at least 60% of passes completed in a single season, NFL history". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  291. ^ "Matthew Stafford 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  292. ^ "Most consecutive games with at least 350 passing yards, NFL history". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  293. ^ "Most yards thrown for without a touchdown pass, single game, NFL history". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  294. ^ "NFL Single-Season Pass Attempts per Game Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  295. ^ "Most games with at least 40 pass attempts in a single season, NFL history". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  296. ^ "Matthew Stafford breaks Matt Ryan's record, becomes fastest quarterback to reach 40,000 career passing yards". CBS Sports. October 20, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  297. ^ Kacsmar, Scott (February 23, 2016). "Matthew Stafford's Obscure Record". www.footballoutsiders.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  298. ^ Lage, Larry (January 3, 2017). "Rodgers-led Packers beat Lions 31–24 to win NFC North". Associated Press. Detroit: AP Sports. Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  299. ^ "Fewest games to reach 35,000 passing yards, NFL history". StatMuse. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  300. ^ Whitaker, Michael (January 3, 2021). "Matthew Stafford become quickest to 45,000 yards with TD pass to Marvin Jones Jr". Detroit Sports Nation. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  301. ^ Kerr, Jeff (September 9, 2022). "Matthew Stafford matches Drew Brees for quickest to 50,000 passing yards in NFL history". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  302. ^ Rothstein, Michael (December 31, 2017). "Matthew Stafford fastest in NFL history to 3,000 completions". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  303. ^ Florio, Mike (October 24, 2016). "Matthew Stafford makes 100th-game history". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  304. ^ "NFL Passing Yards per Game Career Playoffs Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  305. ^ a b "NFL Game-Winning Drives Single-Season Leaders (since 1960)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  306. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Detroit Lions Career Passing Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  307. ^ "Most pass completions in a single season, Detroit Lions". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  308. ^ "Most pass attempts in a single game, Detroit Lions". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  309. ^ "Highest career completion percentage, Detroit Lions". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  310. ^ a b c "Detroit Lions Team Encyclopedia - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  311. ^ "Jared Goff set or tied two franchise marks in first season as a Lion". January 18, 2022.
  312. ^ "Most completion percentage in a single game, Detroit Lions". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  313. ^ Copeland, Kareem (January 2, 2012). "Packers: Record-setting day for Flynn, Stafford". madison.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  314. ^ "Most consecutive 4,000+ passing yard seasons, Detroit Lions". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  315. ^ "Most career games with 400+ passing yards, Detroit Lions". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  316. ^ "400 Yard Passing Games By Matt Stafford". StatMuse. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  317. ^ "Most career games with 300+ passing yards, Detroit Lions". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  318. ^ "Most 300-yard passing games in a single season, Detroit Lions". StatMuse. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  319. ^ "Most passing touchdowns in a single game, Detroit Lions". StatMuse. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  320. ^ "Most games with at least one passing touchdown in a single season, Detroit Lions". StatMuse. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  321. ^ a b "Detroit Lions Single-Season Passing Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  322. ^ "NFL Passer Rating Single-Season Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  323. ^ a b "Matthew Stafford Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  324. ^ Patra, Kevin (December 4, 2016). "Stafford saves heroics for another day in Lions win". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  325. ^ Macke, Johnni (August 1, 2022). "Matthew Stafford and Wife Kelly's Relationship Timeline". Us Magazine. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  326. ^ French, Megan (April 11, 2017). "NFL Star Matthew Stafford, Wife Kelly Welcome Twins". US Magazine. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  327. ^ Ramirez, Charles E. (August 24, 2018). "Matthew Stafford, wife welcome third child". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  328. ^ "Matthew Stafford and Wife Kelly Welcome Their Fourth Child: 'Our Family Became Complete'". PEOPLE.com. June 28, 2020. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  329. ^ Maakaron, John (July 3, 2020). "Matthew Stafford's Fourth Child Is a Baby Girl". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  330. ^ Dubin, Jared (April 3, 2019). "Matthew Stafford's wife Kelly Stafford reveals she is dealing with a brain tumor". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  331. ^ Birkett, Dave (April 22, 2019). "Kelly Stafford 'learning new normal' after 12-hour brain surgery". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  332. ^ Kaplan, Emily (October 14, 2019). "Kelly Stafford's recovery from brain tumor: 'My biggest fear is not being here'". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  333. ^ "Thanks To Matt Stafford's $1 Million Donation, Rec Center In Detroit Reopens". Daily Detroit. October 21, 2015. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  334. ^ Demara, Max (December 6, 2018). "Matthew Stafford Lions Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee". 247 Sports. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  335. ^ Schlitt, Erik (August 21, 2020). "Matthew and Kelly Stafford's donation to Georgia totals $1.5 million". Lions Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  336. ^ Schwabe, Clarke (August 24, 2020). "Former UGA football star pledges $1.5 million". UGA Today. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  337. ^ Maakaron, John (February 11, 2021). "Matthew and Kelly Stafford's Gift to Detroit". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  338. ^ Vitale, Joe (May 15, 2023). "Nation's No. 1 overall player Dylan Raiola commits to Georgia". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  339. ^ Shelton, J.C. (March 31, 2023). "Recruiting experts project top QB to sign with Georgia football". UGAWire. USA Today. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  340. ^ Arnold, Geoffrey C. (September 14, 2023). "Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford agrees to star in Season 2 of Netflix's 'Quarterback': Report". OregonLive. Retrieved October 27, 2023.

External links[edit]