Matthew Stafford’s Career Stats: The Complete Guide

Introduction

Matthew Stafford, the former quarterback for the Detroit Lions and current quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, has had a remarkable NFL career. Drafted first overall by the Lions in 2009, Stafford quickly established himself as one of the league’s most prolific passers. Throughout his time in Detroit, he led the Lions to several playoff appearances and set numerous franchise records. This comprehensive guide will delve into Matthew Stafford’s career statistics, providing a detailed analysis of his performance and achievements.

Regular Season Passing Statistics

Passing Yards

Stafford ranks 13th all-time in career passing yards, with 49,995 yards accumulated over 162 regular season games. He has consistently ranked among the league leaders in passing yards, finishing in the top 10 for seven consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2017. In 2011, he set a career high with 5,038 passing yards, becoming the fourth player in NFL history to surpass the 5,000-yard mark in a single season.

Passing Touchdowns

Stafford has thrown 323 touchdown passes in the regular season, placing him 14th on the all-time list. He has recorded at least 20 passing touchdowns in each of his first 12 seasons as a starter, including a career-high 41 touchdowns in 2011. Stafford’s ability to find the end zone through the air has been a key factor in the Lions’ offensive success.

Interceptions

While Stafford has been known for his impressive passing numbers, he has also been prone to interceptions. He ranks 24th all-time in career interceptions, with 171 thrown. Stafford’s interception numbers have fluctuated throughout his career, but he has been able to limit his turnovers in recent seasons. In 2019, he set a career low with 6 interceptions.

Passer Rating

Stafford’s passer rating, which measures his overall efficiency as a passer, is 89.9 over his career. He has a completion percentage of 62.6% and an average yards per attempt of 7.8. Stafford’s passer rating has been above 90.0 in four of the past six seasons, indicating his consistent high level of play.

Playoff Passing Statistics

Passing Yards

In 13 career playoff games, Stafford has accumulated 4,148 passing yards. He has led the Lions to two NFC North division championships and one NFC Championship Game appearance. In the playoffs, Stafford has shown his ability to perform under pressure, leading the Lions to several memorable victories.

Passing Touchdowns

Stafford has thrown 27 touchdown passes in the playoffs, including a career-high 5 touchdowns in the 2014 Wild Card Round against the Dallas Cowboys. He has also thrown 10 interceptions in the playoffs, but his overall performance has been impressive, considering the high stakes of postseason play.

Interceptions

Stafford’s interception numbers have been higher in the playoffs than in the regular season. He has thrown 10 interceptions in 13 playoff games, including 4 interceptions in the 2016 Wild Card Round against the Seattle Seahawks. Stafford’s ability to protect the football in the playoffs will be crucial to his team’s success in future postseason appearances.

Passer Rating

Stafford’s passer rating in the playoffs is 88.6, slightly lower than his regular season rating. This indicates that while he has been able to perform at a high level in the playoffs, he has also been more prone to turnovers. Stafford’s passer rating in the playoffs has fluctuated, but he has shown his ability to make big plays when it matters most.

Career Honors and Achievements

Pro Bowl Selections

Stafford has been selected to the Pro Bowl 12 times, tied for the 10th most Pro Bowl selections by a quarterback in NFL history. He was first selected to the Pro Bowl in 2014 and has been a consistent All-Star selection throughout his career. Stafford’s Pro Bowl appearances are a testament to his high level of play and his status as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.

All-Pro Selections

Stafford has been named to the All-Pro team four times, including three First Team selections in 2011, 2014, and 2019. He was also named to the Second Team All-Pro in 2017. Stafford’s All-Pro selections recognize his dominance at the quarterback position and his ability to lead his team to success.

NFL Records

Stafford holds several NFL records, including the most passing yards in a single game by a rookie (520 yards in 2009) and the most consecutive games with 400 or more passing yards (3 in 2012). He also ranks among the all-time leaders in several other statistical categories, including passing yards, passing touchdowns, and interceptions.

Franchise Records

Stafford holds numerous franchise records for the Detroit Lions, including most career passing yards, most career passing touchdowns, and most career completions. He is the Lions’ all-time leader in several other statistical categories, and his impact on the franchise has been profound.

Conclusion

Matthew Stafford’s career statistics paint a picture of a quarterback who has been among the most productive and successful passers in NFL history. With his impressive passing numbers, Pro Bowl selections, and All-Pro honors, Stafford has established himself as one of the elite quarterbacks of his generation. As he continues his career with the Los Angeles Rams, Stafford will look to add to his already impressive legacy and cement his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.