Matthew Stafford has quietly put together one of the more convincing cases for this year’s regular-season MVP award despite being 37 years of age. Thanks to a 42-26 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the 17-year veteran has now put his Los Angeles Rams (7-2) firmly in the mix for the NFC’s number one seed.
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Coming into Week 10, Stafford led the league in passing touchdowns, first downs, and yards per game. And now, he’s improved those totals with four more passing scores and 280 passing yards.
The former Detroit Lion had broken a lot of records in his day. But his latest performance has given him yet another record.
Stafford is officially the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4+ passing touchdowns without an interception in three consecutive games. According to Rob Gronkowski, the talent is undeniable, but it also helps when you have as talented a receiving corps as Stafford does.
“He’s taken his game to a whole other level now,” the former tight end suggested while speaking from behind the Fox Sports analyst’s desk.
“He’s utilizing so many of his weapons. He’s got Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, and then he’s used his three tight ends that he each threw a touchdown pass today. When you’ve got so many different guys that you can throw to and you can spread the ball out, it’s going to keep the defense guessing, and Stafford has done that all year long so far,” added the former Patriots star.
Gronk wasn’t the only member of the panel who loved what Stafford showed in Week 10. Former Super Bowl winner Terry Bradshaw suggested that Stafford is playing some rather “crazy football” right now, and that he is displaying “total control of the offense at the line of scrimmage.”
After his performances against the New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars went underappreciated, Stafford seems to have finally begun commanding some respect from the bigwigs out in Las Vegas. Heading into Week 11, oddsmakers have now listed Stafford as the co-betting favorite, along with Drake Maye, to take home the MVP award.
It would be the first one of Stafford’s career. But as they say, better late than never.
Stafford has managed to collect a Super Bowl ring, passing records, and even a Comeback Player of the Year award. But an MVP trophy at the age of 37 would go a long way in ensuring that he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
