Matthew Stafford barely flinched after taking a hard shot late in the fourth quarter. The 37-year-old veteran just smiled and said in a postgame interview, “Got hit on that one pretty good, so I was getting up. Just trying to dust it off, I think.” It was pure Stafford – gritty, calm under pressure, yet thoroughly dominant – following his lead role in the Rams’ solid 42–26 win against the 49ers last weekend. That result not only kept LA at the top of the NFC standings but also boosted its rising odds of winning MVP this year.
“I got hit on that one pretty good, so I was getting up. Just trying to dust it off, I think.”@ErinAndrews caught up with Matthew Stafford after his historic day and the @RamsNFL win over the 49ers pic.twitter.com/0EN2Ngustj
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 10, 2025
How Matthew Stafford Made NFL History With Three Straight 4-TD Games Against 49ers?
Matthew Stafford
Oct 19, 2025; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford at a press conference after a NFL International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Stafford was surgical from start to finish. He went 24 for 36 with 280 yards, tossed four scores without any picks – this marks the third game running he’s pulled that off. Per The Sporting News, this run set a league-first mark: no QB had ever hit four TDs and none shorted in three games back-to-back before. With a 127.1 rating plus 7.8 yards each throw, he held down LA’s attack, which punched in six TDs across their opening eight possessions.
The performance also lifted Stafford to 402 career touchdown passes, making him the ninth quarterback in NFL history to cross the 400-TD mark. On the season, he leads the league with 25 touchdowns and only two interceptions, including 20 touchdowns in his last six games.
Stafford’s sharp throws drew attention, yet the game highlighted how badly San Francisco’s defense had fallen apart. Without Bosa due to a knee issue, Warner nursing an ankle, or Williams out with an ACL tear, the 49ers’ D seemed overwhelmed. LA’s offense struck from different angles – Nacua darting in on a short pass, Allen snagging one near the end zone, then hitting Adams deep in the third; he’s now tops in the NFC with nine TD catches
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged his team’s limitations but refused to blame injuries entirely. “We all know it’s a challenge with how many guys that are missing on D. I know we can do better than what we did today, though,” he said.
Cornerback Demondore Lenoir said the team struggled with finishing plays – even though the coaches set things up right, someone has to step up when it counts. San Francisco, currently at the bottom of the league in sacks per matchup, managed just a single takedown on Stafford, which summed up how their evening went.
For Stafford, though, this win added weight to his MVP argument. Once overlooked in a conversation dominated by younger names, his numbers and consistency now put him right back in contention.
Fans online were quick to praise the veteran’s resilience.
One postread, “Stafford’s grit = pure championship energy. What a win!”
Anotheradded, “Stafford’s composure under pressure showcases elite poise and professionalism.”
One fanchimed, “Sounds like a tough play, Matthew – glad you’re alright!”
One fanremarked, “Truly historic zero penalties for the whole game wow.”
The Rams moved to 7-2, tying for the top spot in the NFC, while the 49ers fell to 4-6 after losing four of their last five games.
Stafford’s quiet reply after taking the hit said everything – steady play, wise choices, no letup. For a QB with years under his belt, this stretch will be his best run so far.