Rams’ romp over Jags keyed by Stafford’s 5 TDs

(News4usOnline) – What can you say that has not already been said about Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford? Week in and week out, Stafford seems to be earning a significant achievement just about everywhere he turns these days. 

At least it feels this way. In the Rams’ 35-7 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Stafford hit some memorable milestones.   

Stafford threw for less than 200 yards (182) and still managed to throw for five touchdowns in this one-sided affair. Completing 21 of 33 passes, this was the first time that Stafford has thrown for five touchdowns as a member of the Rams, and the fifth time of his career he has reached that benchmark in a game. 

With the five scores, three to wide receiver Davante Adams, Stafford also moved solely into fifth place in touchdowns thrown as a Ram. He now has 112 touchdowns, surpassing Jared Goff, who now plays quarterback for the Detroit Lions. 

Also, with those five TDs thrown, Stafford leads the NFL in passing touchdowns with 17. Stafford also connected for passing touchdowns against Jacksonville with rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson and Konata Mumpfield on the receiving end of those throws.

The touchdowns thrown to Ferguson (a 31-yard score in the fourth quarter) and Mumpfield (a 5-yard score in the first quarter) represented the first time that either has reached the end zone as a pro. 

With Puka Nacua ruled out for the game against Jacksonville, Stafford had no issue spreading the ball around to his other receivers. All in all, Stafford connected passes with 10 different receivers. Adams led the way with five catches for 35 yards. 

Outside of the superlatives deservedly doled out towards Stafford, the play of the Rams’ defense was equally impressive against the Jaguars. For most of the game, it looked like the Rams would be posting back-to-back games where they kept an opponent out of the end zone.    

A 34-yard touchdown pass tossed by Trevor Lawrence that found its way into the hands of Travis Hunter in the fourth quarter became the one blemish that interrupted those hopes. Nevertheless, the performance by the Rams’ defense was on par with the way the unit has played all season. 

Led by an aggressive pass rush, the Rams sacked Lawrence six times and rendered the Jacksonville quarterback into a sub-par game at Wembley Stadium. Lawrence, who completed 23 of 48 passes for 296 yards, finished the game with a rating of 74.7.

By comparison, Stafford completed his workday with a rating of 117.7. The game marks the third time this season that the Rams have held an opponent to 10 points or less (Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville). 

The win by the Rams keeps Los Angeles tied with the San Francisco 49ers for first place in the NFC West, with Seattle just a half-game behind both ballclubs. After taking a bye week in Week 8, the Rams get the 49ers and Seahawks in Week 10 and Week 11, respectively. 

Featured Image Caption: Quarterback Matthew Stafford throws for five touchdowns to lead the Los Angeles Rams to a 35-7 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Photo credit: Los Angeles Rams