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