Matthew Stafford is not only getting it done for the Los Angeles Rams, but at 37 years old, he’s giving hope to all aging athletes still holding on to glory.
As someone who has to wear a knee brace to run routes with my kids, I salute you, Captain Stafford.
The Rams’ veteran quarterback enters a Thursday Night Football showdown with the San Francisco 49ers among the NFL leaders in passing yards, QB rating, and touchdown throws.
Let's break down the latest Matthew Stafford odds with my best NFL picks for 49ers vs. Rams on October 2.
Matthew Stafford prop pick
Matthew Stafford best bet: Matthew Stafford Over 1.5 passing touchdowns (-150 at bet365)
Matthew Stafford has tossed two or more touchdown passes in each of the past three games heading into Week 5, including a trio of tuddies against the Indianapolis Colts last week.
He’s had his struggles against the San Francisco 49ers since coming to La-La Land, but this Niners roster is in rough shape heading into the short week. Not only is San Francisco missing key weapons on offense, but the stop unit has been decimated and is down multiple starters.
San Francisco has been declawed due to those ailments, and a once-feared pass rush is beyond passive. The Niners have generated the fourth-lowest pressure rate and rank near the bottom of the league in hurries, QB hits, and sacks.
Stafford is the No. 2 quarterback when kept clean at PFF. The Los Angeles Rams’ pass protection has been spotty to start 2025, so L.A. catches a break against this null-and-void Niners rush.
The veteran gunslinger also thrives against zone coverage — something San Francisco plays almost exclusively under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. It should then come as no surprise that top target Puka Nacua is the No. 1 WR versus zone.
Nacua is a sizable favorite to find the end zone on Thursday night and gives Stafford a great shot at topping his touchdown pass total of 1.5. Week 5 projections are all positive as well, ranging from 1.5 to 1.82 TD connections.
The Over 1.5 touchdown passes is as high as -160 at some books, but you can find this offering at -150 via bet365.
Matthew Stafford same-game parlay
Matthew Stafford 2+ passing touchdowns
Matthew Stafford 30+ passing attempts
Matthew Stafford 1+ interceptions
Stafford has thrown for two or more TDs in three straight games and faces a very thin 49ers defense on a short week.
The Rams' gunslinger will have plenty of time in the pocket to slice up this San Francisco zone defense. Projections all sit north of 30 passing attempts for the veteran QB.
He's thrown eight interceptions in 11 games versus San Francisco, and some models are leaning toward one wayward pass from Stafford on TNF.
Bet on TNF at bet365!
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