Video captures why LA Rams Stafford scoring smorgasbord proves he's still got it
By Bret Stuter
Stafford to TE Colby Parkinson for his first TD of the season
The offense completed their scoring spree by an unexpected touchdown pass to slumping TE Colby Parkinson. The touchdown pass culminated a seven-play 72-yard scoring drive that required just 3:32.
The play foiled the Patriots defense positioning eight defenders in the box, anticipating a Rams running play with second down and two yards to go at the Patriots 19 yard line. Expecting an aggressive defense, the Rams rolled Stafford out to his left after simulating a hand off to RB Kyren Williams on the right.
All along, TE Colby Parkinson got behind two Patriots defenders on a fade route to the end zone. Stafford laid the football right into Parkinson in stride for the touchdown.
It was the first touchdown for TE Colby Parkinson this season, and his first target in three games for the Rams. With that score, the team has finally broken the touchdown drought for the entire tight end group this season.
A huge game for Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford has struggled at times this season. He has played four games this season in which he has failed to throw a single touchdown. But when he's hot, he's hot. This was his second game of 2024 in which Stafford has thrown four touchdown passes. That places him in some very impressive company:
So where is Stafford in terms of LA Rams All-Time Passing Leaders? In just 51 games over the past 3.5 seasons, Stafford checks in as the seventh-ranked passer of all time for the Rams franchise with 13,495 passing yards. In terms of touchdown passes, he is the eighth-ranked passer with 88 touchdowns. To improve his ranking, he will need to throw for 953 more passing yards to overtake QB Kurt Warner (14,447 yards) and 10 touchdowns to overtake Bob Waterford (97 touchdowns).
If he remains healthy and protected, Stafford has seven more games to play this season. That should allow him plenty of time to achieve both in 2024, and move him even higher on the LA Rams All-Time Passing Leaders list.
As long as the offense can keep veteran QB Matthew Stafford comfortable and upright in the pocket, he can dismantle practically any defense. He instinctively crosses up defensive backs by looking away from where he is throwing the football. And when the game is on the line, there is no more dangerous comeback quarterback than Matthew Stafford.
It's clear that Stafford needs better than average protection (He's getting it this season). It's also clear that he needs to be comfortable with his center (It's Beaux Limmer). Have the Rams settled Stafford into his late-season playoff-push groove? We'll soon find out, as the Rams host the formidable Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12.
As always, thanks for reading.