Matthew Stafford makes history after 3-TD showing for Rams

LAS VEGAS -- With his third touchdown pass Sunday, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford became the first player to hold the franchise record for passing scores for multiple active teams.

In the second quarter of the Rams' 35-21 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Stafford threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Puka Nacua. It was Stafford's 155th passing touchdown with Los Angeles, moving him past Roman Gabriel, who threw 154 in 130 games with the Rams.

Stafford, who spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions, leads that franchise with 282 passing touchdowns.

"It's pretty cool," Stafford said of the milestone, before joking, "It just means you're old, and you've played a lot of ball and wore yourself thin enough at a certain place where they moved on."

The Rams traded for Stafford after the 2020 season for a package that sent quarterback Jared Goff to the Lions and included multiple first-round picks. Stafford has played 81 career games for the Rams.

Stafford said though it's his name on the record, so many others "have so much to do with that."

"Throwing touchdowns isn't a one-man job," he said. "Takes a lot of people to block and get open and coaches to draw up plays."

Stafford's three passing touchdowns all came in the first half, which tied a career high in any half, according to ESPN Research. His 79% completion percentage was his highest in a game since 2018, when he was with the Lions.

On Sunday, Stafford also passed former Rams quarterback Jim Everett (1,846) for the second-most completions (1,851) in franchise history.

"It's been a heck of a ride," said Stafford, who finished 23-for-29 for 195 yards with three TDs and one interception. "Enjoy doing what I do, still love it, and look forward to doing some more."

In seven games this season, Stafford has completed 67.3% of his passes for 1,989 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.