Detroit's Stafford fastest to 40,000 NFL passing yards

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for four touchdowns on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings to become the fastest National Football League player to reach 40,000 career passing yards.

Stafford broke Matt Ryan's record as he entered the home game against Minnesota needing 87 yards to reach the milestone. He passed Ryan with a 36-yard completion to receiver Danny Amendola in the opening quarter of a 42-30 loss at Ford Field.

The 31-year-old Stafford, who completed 30 of 45 passes for 364 yards, did it in his 147th game, compared to Atlanta's Ryan, who needed 151 games.

Stafford also was the fastest to hit other milestones of 15,000, 20,000, 25,000 and 30,000 yards.

Heading into Sunday's contest, Stafford was 21st on the NFL's all time passing list, 326 yards behind Johnny Unitas.

Kirk Cousins passed for 337 yards and four touchdowns and Dalvin Cook rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns to counter four touchdown catches by Marvin Jones as the Vikings improved to 5-2, breaking open a game deadlocked 21-21 at halftime.

Minnesota star receiver Adam Thielen left in the first quarter due to a hamstring injury after catching a touchdown pass.

Detroit's top running back, Kerryon Johnson, exited in the first half with a knee injury.

© 2019 AFP