Matthew Stafford’s impressive NFL streak of 28 consecutive touchdown passes in a season without an interception came to an abrupt halt on Sunday during a game against the Carolina Panthers. The record was broken when Panthers safety Nick Scott intercepted a pass in the first quarter after deflecting off the line of scrimmage.
Despite Stafford’s early success, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams on the Rams’ opening drive, the game took a turn for the worse on their second possession. Scott’s interception in the end zone marked Stafford’s first pick in 10 weeks. It didn’t end there; on the Rams’ third drive, cornerback Mike Jackson added to Stafford’s woes with a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown, placing the Panthers ahead 14-7.
This game unfolded while the Panthers were missing key players, including top cornerback Jaycee Horn, who was sidelined with a concussion. Stafford entered the contest with a remarkable record of 30 touchdown passes against just two interceptions for the season, showcasing his significant contributions to the team prior to this game.
While the conclusion of Stafford’s streak might be disappointing for him and Rams fans, this moment also highlights the unpredictability of the game and the resilience required to bounce back from setbacks. Looking ahead, Stafford has the opportunity to recover and continue to build on his strong season performance.