Matthew Stafford has long been one of the NFL’s most clutch quarterbacks, even before he got to Los Angeles and helped the Rams win a Super Bowl in his first season. Dating back to his days with the Lions, Stafford had a knack for leading game-winning drives and fourth-quarter comebacks.
At this point in his career, he ranks fifth all-time with 47 game-winning drives and 36 fourth-quarter comebacks, and he’s within striking distance of first place on both of those lists.
When it comes to game-winning touchdown passes, there’s only one guy ahead of Stafford: Tom Brady. According to ESPN Research, as shared by Rams play-by-play announcer J.B. Long, Stafford’s 24 game-winning touchdown passes in the fourth quarter or overtime are only five fewer than Brady’s 29.
Coincidentally, it’ll be Brady calling Stafford’s game on FOX this Sunday when the Rams host the Bills.
Game-Winning TD Passes (4th Quarter / OT)
NFL HistoryTom Brady – 29*
Matthew Stafford – 24
Johnny Unitas – 23
(via ESPN Research)*Broadcasting Sunday’s game on FOX pic.twitter.com/SirXoRZAIu
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) December 4, 2024
Stafford moved past Johnny Unitas for second all-time last week when he hit Puka Nacua for a game-winning touchdown against the Saints with 8:54 left in the fourth quarter. A month earlier, he threw the game-winner to Demarcus Robinson in overtime against the Seahawks, a 39-yard bomb deep down the field.
With how many close games Stafford has played throughout his career, it seems like he comes through in the clutch more often than not. The Rams might need another game-winner in the fourth quarter this weekend against the Bills, a team that’s won seven in a row and currently sits at 10-2 on the year.