Matthew Stafford he’s already surpassed 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 have sole possession of 10th place.
Stafford, a 16-year pro, has thrown 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 On the San Francisco 49ers, Stafford surpassed Manning and was tenth in completions. A week later, in a loss to the Chicago Bears, Stafford passed Manning for tenth in passing yards.
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In a humorous video, Manning congratulated Stafford on that achievement.
“You’re also seven touchdowns away from passing me in total touchdowns,” Manning said. “Don’t wait for another video for that.”
Stafford threw a touchdown pass in the loss to the Green Bay Packers, but was shut out in the win over the Las Vegas Raiders. After six games, he had scored three touchdowns.
Since then he has gone up in two games, going through six.
“That’s a good sign,” Stafford said Thursday when asked if he feels like he’s on a roll, “because that means we’re getting into the end zone.”
Handing the ball to running back Kyren Williams for a short touchdown run or throwing a touchdown pass gets the job done, Stafford said. “I don’t care much.”
Stafford’s passing has 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 and slipped a tackle and fired a touchdown pass to receiver Cooper Kupp in the second. He also found a receiver Demarcus Robinson for two touchdowns in a 30-20 victory that led Stafford to pass Dan Marino and rank ninth in completions.
Last Sunday in Seattle, Stafford connected with Robinson for two touchdowns, including a 39-yard strike that hit the Rams a 26-20 overtime victory about the Seahawks.
“Week in and week out, depending on what the defense gives you, you have to go out and attack,” said Stafford, who has thrown nine touchdowns with six interceptions. “And certain weeks we’ve been turning the ball over, and other weeks it’s been, ‘Hey, let’s try to create matchups in the passing game.’
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Against the Dolphins, Stafford will be protected by yet another incarnation of the offensive line. Coach Sean McVay said right tackle Rob Havenstein will not play due to an ankle injury he suffered against the Seahawks. Veteran Joe Noteboom or second-year pro Warren McClendon Jr. could start in his place.
On Thursday, interior linemen Jonas Jackson and Steve Avila returned to practice after being on injured reserve due to shoulder and knee injuries, respectively.
“It’s good to be able to have those guys back on the practice field,” McVay said. “We’ve had a lot of moving parts on the offensive line, so it’s certainly something we’re used to.”
McVay has said he expects Jackson to be ready for the Dolphins. Ávila’s status is to be determined.
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“It’s good to be able to have those guys back on the practice field,” McVay said. “We’ve had a lot of moving parts on the offensive line, so it’s certainly something we’re used to.”
McVay has said he expects Jackson to be ready for the Dolphins. Ávila’s status is yet 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 due to a shoulder injury, participated fully. Punter Ethan Evans returned to practice after sitting out against the Seahawks due to what he described as mononucleosis.
This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
