It seems that under the bright lights of SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is starting to get the respect he deserves as one of the best quarterbacks in the game.
While the final conclusion will be decided by wins and rings, records are certainly a good way to recognize Stafford’s greatness. This Sunday, he will have the chance to pass two quarterbacks on the list of all-time passing yards in an opening game.
Matthew Stafford is 345 Yards Away From Passing Peyton Manning
The Rams game against the Detroit Lions season represents the 16th opening game of his career. He has yet to miss the first game of the season since he was drafted in 2009.
- Drew Brees: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans – 5,566
- Tom Brady: New England, Tampa Bay – 5,523
- Peyton Manning: Indianapolis, Denver -4,736
- Matt Ryan: Atlanta, Indianapolis – 4,486
- Matthew Stafford: Detroit, L.A. Rams – 4,392
Stafford needs just 94 yards to surpass Matt Ryan, who set his mark of 4486 in 15 Week 1 games in his career. Stafford can feasibly also pass Peyton Manning. His 4737 yards came in 17 games, one more than Stafford. He will need 345 yards to move into third place all-time.
In opening games, Stafford has averaged 293 yards and that includes a game in which he was injured and threw 83 yards in three quarters. He has passed for more than 300 yards eight times, including 334 yards last season. He has thrown for more than 345 yards four times, most recently he did so in 2019.
Stafford has only thrown for fewer than 94 yards once, in 2010.
Matthew Stafford will have to do so without the help of left tackle Alaric Jackson, who is suspended for the first two games of the season. Right tackle, Rob Havenstein is listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
