Just when you think you’ve seen it all from Matthew Stafford, he pulls another rabbit out of his hat. Rolling right on a play against the rival 49ers, it looked like he was about to tuck and run for a score. Then, for a split second, it seemed like he’d wisely throw it away and live to fight another down. But this is Stafford we’re talking about.
The guy has made a career out of impossible throws, and Sunday was no different. He spotted tight end Davis Allen slipping open at the back of the end zone and zipped it to him for a 4-yard touchdown.
Just like that, the crowd roared, the Rams went up 21-0, and Stafford punched his ticket into one of the NFL’s most exclusive fraternities. That toss wasn’t just any touchdown; it was the 400th of his career. He’s now just the ninth quarterback in the entire history of the league to hit that monumental number. Let that sink in.
Who Is in the 400 Touchdown Club?
When you look at the names on this list, you realize the legendary air Stafford now breathes. We’re talking about the Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks. Tom Brady sits on his own planet with 649, followed by legends like Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539), and Aaron Rodgers (517). Brett Favre (508) is on there, too. This is the club Stafford just walked into.
But he’s not just happy to be there. With a few more seasons of his signature gunslinging, he has a real shot at climbing that ladder. He’s already within striking distance of Philip Rivers (421), Dan Marino (420), and Ben Roethlisberger (418). It’s not a stretch to think he could pass them all by next season.
Stafford’s Stellar Season
What makes this milestone even more remarkable is the season Stafford is putting together. This isn’t some aging veteran limping to the finish line. He’s playing some of the best football of his life. That touchdown to Allen was his league-leading 23rd of the season, a staggering number when you consider he’s only thrown two interceptions. He’s not just taking care of the ball; he’s dissecting defenses with surgical precision, consistently putting his team in a position to win.
The Hall of Fame debate has always swirled around Stafford. He had the stats but lacked the Super Bowl ring. Well, he checked that box. Now, by joining the 400-touchdown club, his resume is starting to look undeniable. Canton has to be calling.
