Matthew Stafford makes unwanted NFL history at worst possible time in Rams’ crushing loss

DENVER — Matthew Stafford has spent nearly two decades collecting records worthy of a future Hall of Fame résumé.

He picked up one Sunday night that he might prefer to leave behind at Mile High.

Stafford became the NFL’s all-time leader in pick-sixes thrown when Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga jumped a pass intended for Kyren Williams and raced 66 yards for a touchdown with 4:49 remaining in the fourth quarter.

It was the 33rd pick-six of Stafford’s career, breaking the record of 32 previously held by Brett Favre. Dan Marino sits third with 29.

Some records come with trophies or plaques. This one took what should have been points for the Rams and instead was six points for the Broncos. 

The Rams had finally stopped Denver’s second-half avalanche and reclaimed a 19-16 lead when Stafford made the kind of mistake a 38-year-old reigning MVP simply cannot make. 

The Broncos were in zone coverage and Hufunga was tasked with covering the flat that Williams was running into. He diagnosed the play, stepped in front of Williams and was off to the races, flipping a three-point lead that was about to be more into a 23-19 deficit. 

To make matters worse, after Stafford responded during a back-and-forth battle down the stretch, Hufunga intercepted the reigning NFL MVP again in the end zone on the final play of the game to seal the Broncos 30-26 victory. 

Stafford has authored plenty of unforgettable fourth-quarter moments during his career.

Sunday night, unfortunately, he made history for all the wrong reasons.

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