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Matthew Stafford Is on Verge of Setting All-Time Marks for an Opposing Quarterback Playing the Packers
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The Lions will battle their NFC North rival Green Bay Packers tonight on Monday Night Football.
If the Lions win, they will be alone in first in the division. And if they lose, they will be sitting in last.
The Minnesota Vikings sit at 4-2 after beating the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, and the Chicago Bears are on a bye and sit at 3-2. The NFC North is the only division in the NFL where every team has a winning record.
Needless to say, this game is an important one.
Fortunately, for the Lions, quarterback Matthew Stafford has had his fair share of success against the Packers. Let's take a look at just how prolific the Lions' signal-caller has been against the Pack.
In terms of touchdown passes, Stafford is tied with Hall of Fame QB Johnny Unitas for the most touchdown passes (34) by an opponent against Green Bay.
Stafford has thrown at least two touchdowns in nine consecutive games against the Packers.
His nine-game, multi-touchdown pass streak is the second-longest in NFL history by a QB against any single opponent.
And tonight, Stafford could tie Hall of Famer Dan Marino's record of 10 straight games with a multi-TD performance.
Not only that, but Stafford is also just 58 yards away from becoming the all-time leader in passing yards against the Packers.
His career total of 4,921 passing yards against Green Bay places him second all-time.
The man with the most passing yards all-time against GB: former Vikings HOF passer Fran Tarkenton.
Tarkenton finished with 4,978 passing yards in his career against the Pack -- a record that has stood since 1978.
Let's not forget, Stafford already holds the record for the most passing yards in a game at Lambeau Field.
On New Year's Day in 2012, Stafford threw for 520 yards in a Week 17 loss for the Lions.
Most fans remember that game as the one that got former Packers backup QB Matt Flynn paid by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2012 offseason.
Flynn took advantage of a weak Lions defense, and hurled six touchdowns to go along with 480 yards.
All of these stats look great on paper. However, the most important thing on Monday night will be whether or not Stafford, in his 11th NFL season, can lead his team to victory.
Stafford is 7-10 in his career against Green Bay. Not a great record, but the Lions have had the Packers' number in recent years.
Detroit has won four straight against the Packers and three of the last four in Green Bay.
Obviously, the stats aren't as impressive as they could be because of Stafford's sub-.500 record against the Pack. But in theory, the more positive the stats are that he accumulates, the more likely it is for the Lions to win.
