Rams QB Matthew Stafford Sends Strong Message After Historic Day vs Ravens
Rams QB Matthew Stafford Sends Strong Message After Historic Day vs Ravens
The Los Angeles Rams shrugged off a slow start to defeat the Baltimore Ravens, and quarterback Matthew Stafford keyed it. In the process, the two-time Pro Bowler surpassed yet another historic career milestone.
Stafford finished the 17-3 victory with 181 yards and 1 touchdown on 65.4% completion.
It was a modest final line for Stafford, but one that came with significant implications, moving him up the all-time ranks.
Matthew Stafford Passes Dan Marino in Rams’ Win
GettyErin Andrews interviews Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams after a 17-3 victory against the Baltimore Ravens.
Stafford passed Hall of Famer and former Miami Dolphins star Dan Marino for ninth place on the all-time passing yards list.
He expressed great “reverence” for Marino and other QBs who paved the way.
“I love this game, I love the history of it. I remember being a little kid watching NFL films growing up. Everybody’s watching cartoons, I was watching that. So, it’s – it means a lot. I don’t think about it on a daily basis. But when it comes up, I have a ton of reverence and respect for this game and the people that have come before me and played it,” Stafford told reporters on October 12.
“Just to be mentioned with those guys is really humbling and something that I’m sure when I’m done playing, I’ll think about more. But kind of one of those pinch yourself moments where you’re sitting there going, ‘Man, remember watching him do his thing and just thinking he was unbelievable.’ And being able to be in the same breath is pretty cool.”
Stafford has thrown for 1,684 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions on 66.5% completion on the season while leading the Rams to a 4-2 start. It is their best since the 2021 season, when they began the campaign 5-1, per Stathead.
The Rams were also 4-2 to start the 2020 season, when they made the playoffs but fell short and acquired Stafford in a trade with the Detroit Lions that offseason.
Matthew Stafford Can Still Move Up All-Time Passing Yards Leaderboard in 2025
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams stands behind center against the Baltimore Ravens.
Stafford’s current pace could see him overtake multiple other QBs on the all-time leaderboard before the 2025 regular season ends.
He is currently on track for 4,771 yards. That would give him 65,480 passing yards for his career, and it would move him above Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger into at least sixth place.
There is even a chance that Stafford leapfrogs Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers for fifth.
At any rate, Stafford has been dialed in. He led the NFL in passing yards entering Week 6, and he exited Sunday’s slate the same way despite his modest output.
Sean McVay Gives Matthew Stafford Game Ball
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on against the Baltimore Ravens.
Rams head coach Sean McVay offered strong praise for Stafford in the locker room during his postgame speech.
Stafford was one of five Rams players to receive game balls.
Outside linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse (3.0 combined sacks and 1 forced fumble), linebacker Nate Landman (franchise-record 17 total tackles, 1 QB hit), and safety Quentin Lake (6 total stops, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery) also received game balls.
Up next, Stafford, McVay, and the Rams travel to London to take on the 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7.
Raiders' Maxx Crosby Reflects After Emphatic Week 6 Performance
The Las Vegas Raiders' defense proved what is possible when the Raiders play complimentary football.
LAS VEGAS, Nev.--The Raiders entered Week 6 still looking to establish their identity after an offseason full of changes. Las Vegas' first five games of the season looked like a team still trying to work through the growing pains of a new coaching staff and revamped roster. Their Week 6 win was much needed.
Sunday's win over the Titans was the first time the Raiders played complementary football all season. The Raiders' offense scored touchdowns when needed, while their defense showed what it can do when the offense is not routinely put in hopeless situations.
Watch Maxx Crosby Speak Post-Game
Raiders' Defense Shines
As much as the league is centered around the offensive side of the ball, Las Vegas is led by its defense. During the Raiders' 1-4 start to the season, the defense was the lone bright spot on the team, regularly performing well in situations far from ideal, caused by their offensive teammates.
Las Vegas' defense had its best performance of the season, to the tune of six sacks and three forced turnovers. Those three forced turnovers were one less than the Raiders' defense forced in the previous five games combined. They also boosted a Raiders offense that is still a work in progress.
After allowing the Indianapolis Colts to convert on a whopping 80 percent of their third down attempts in Week 5, the Raiders' defense only allowed the Titans to convert on three of their 13 third down attempts on Sunday.
Star defensive end Maxx Crosby had two of the team's six sacks, leading his defense in way only he can. Las Vegas' defense looked much different this week, with constant pressure from the defensive line and linebackers.
Although each team and each week is different, the Raiders may have found somewhat of a blueprint for their future. Sunday was the first time in weeks that the Raiders did not make multiple costly mistakes that handed the game to their opponent, and the results show the difference.
The Raiders finally got the monkey off their back by beating the Titans. It was not pretty, but the Raiders took care of what matters the most. Las Vegas' 20-10 win may have come against a bad Titans team, but for a team on a four-game losing streak, any win will do.
Find us on X (formerly Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and @EZTrez_SI and weigh in.
