Matthew Stafford vs. Aaron Rodgers: An incomplete history

Stafford vs. Rodgers – By the Numbers

With a supporting cast that matches his talent and toughness, Stafford could very well eventually rewrite this decade-long narrative as the second fiddle QB in the NFC North. After all, it wasn’t until the final two years of John Elway’s career that he finally cemented his own legacy, and Elway is probably the overall closest QB comparison out there for Stafford’s game.

As we all know though, it’s going to require finally getting these critical wins while his nemesis is at full strength. To become an Elway-level champion, the first step seems obvious: at some point, Matthew Stafford needs to conquer the Packers. Not Brett Hundley or Matt Flynn’s Packers either. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

The most compelling side note to this matchup is the potential that it’s the final time the two will play each other as division rivals. Depending on the outcome of the Lions’ search for a new general manager and Stafford’s health/willingness to be part of another rebuild, major changes could be coming this offseason.

For the present though, Stafford and the Lions have this one final chance to keep hope alive in 2020 and slay a dragon that has continued to burn him and the Lions his entire career. Stafford will look to reverse a few of these stats this week, but the reality is he still has a mountain to climb to even the score in this rivalry.

By the numbers comparison of Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers head-to-head (only includes games where both players started)

Wins

• Rodgers: 11
• Stafford: 4

Passing Touchdowns/Interceptions

• Rodgers: 30 TD, 3 int
• Stafford: 21 TD, 16 int

Most passing yards, single game

• Rodgers: 442 (2018)
• Stafford: 385 (2016)

Longest win streak

• Rodgers: 5 over the Lions, 5 over Stafford
• Stafford: 4 over the Packers, 2 over Rodgers

Passing yards

• Stafford: 3,896 (259.7 per game)
• Rodgers: 3,828 (255.2 per game)

Best season head-to-head

• Stafford: 2018 (2 wins, 449 yd, 4 TD, 0 int, 105 QB rating)
• Rodgers: 2016 (2 wins, 505 yd, 8 TD, 0 int, 128 QB rating)

Division titles since 2009

• Rodgers: 6
• Stafford: monkey still on back