Stafford Breaks Record for Most Pick-Sixes

DENVER — Matthew Stafford, who has built quite the legacy over nearly two decades, encountered an unfortunate milestone on Sunday night.

He became the NFL’s all-time leader in pick-sixes thrown when Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga intercepted a pass aimed at Kyren Williams and dashed 66 yards for a touchdown with 4:49 left in the fourth quarter.

This marked Stafford’s 33rd career pick-six, surpassing Brett Favre’s previous record of 32. Dan Marino follows with 29.

Some records are celebrated, but this one resulted in six points for the Broncos instead of points for the Rams, which is a bitter pill to swallow.

After the Rams briefly halted the Broncos’ momentum and took a 19-16 lead, Stafford made a critical error that was unexpected from a 38-year-old reigning MVP.

The Broncos were in a zone defense, and Hufanga had the responsibility of covering the area where Williams was running. He read the play well, cut in front of Williams, and changed the game with a touchdown that flipped the score from a potential three-point lead for the Rams to a 23-19 deficit.

To add to the drama, after Stafford attempted to rally his team in a tumultuous final stretch, Hufanga intercepted him once more in the end zone during the last play, sealing the Broncos’ victory at 30-26.

Stafford has certainly had his share of memorable fourth-quarter moments during his career.

But this time, he’s made a mark for all the wrong reasons.