Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams became the NFL's all-time leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns on September 28, 2026. During a contest against the Denver Broncos, safety Talanoa Hufanga intercepted a pass and ran it 66 yards for a score.
Stafford's 33rd pick-six eclipses Brett Favre's mark
The milestone occurred during the fourth quarter of a tight battle at Empower Field at Mile High. According to the report, Matthew Stafford threw his 33rd career pick-six with just 4 minutes and 49 seconds remaining on the clock. This single play moved the Los Angeles Rams quarterback past the previous record of 32 held by Hall of Famer Brett Favre.
The record is a rare statistical marker that highlights the intersection of a quarterback's longevity and a high-risk playing style. While most players avoid such a milestone,the 33 interceptions returned for touchdowns serve as a mathematical reflection of how often Stafford has challenged defensive windows over his long career in the NFL.
Talanoa Hufanga's 66-yard return at Empower Field
The play that sealed the record was a clinical piece of defensive positioning by Talanoa Hufanga. As the report says, the Denver Broncos were utilizing zone coverage, with Hufanga responsible for the flat. When Matthew Stafford attempted a pass to Kyren Williams, Hufanga diagnosed the route, stepped in front of the receiver, and raced untouched to the end zone.
This 66-yard return was the pivotal moment of the game, erasing a three-point lead held by the Los Angeles Rams. Instead of the Rams extending their lead to potentially 23-19, the turnover handed the momentum and six points to the Denver Broncos. Hufanga eventually secured the victory for Denver by recording a second interception against the reigning NFL MVP in the end zone as time expired.
The legacy of Brett Favre and Dan Marino's turnover totals
To understand the scale of this record, one must look at the other names on the list. Brett Favre held the record for years, and Dan Marino currently ranks third with 29 pick-sixes.. These three quarterbacks share a common trait: an aggressive, "gunslinger" approach to the position that prioritizes the big play over conservative ball security.
This trend suggests that the NFL's most prolific passers often correlate with the highest number of defensive scores. The thin margin between a game-winning completion and a catastrophic turnover is a recurring theme for elite quarterbacks who maintain high volume over a decade or more of professional play.
The missing details on the Rams' late-game play-calling
Despite the clarity of the result, several questions remain regarding the Los Angeles Rams' strategic choices in the final minutes. It is unclear why the Rams' offense opted to throw into a zone flat during a high-leverage moment with less than five minutes remaining, or if there was a specific miscommunication between Matthew Stafford and Kyren Williams on the route.
Furthermore, the source does not specify if the Rams' coaching staff attempted to adjust their offensive scheme following the first interception. Whether this was a failure of execution or a flaw in the play design remains an open question for the Los Angeles Rams as they absorb this loss.
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