Veteran quarterback faceoff on MNF: Kirk Cousins vs Matthew Stafford head-to-head record and stats

Monday Night Football has given fans a classic matchup to get their teeth into: two seasoned NFL quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford, go up against each other in a fascinating tale of talent and longevity.

Both have carved long careers under centre, but their numbers tell different stories about how they got there and how they play.

With that in mind, here’s a breakdown (thanks to Sports-Reference) of what separates these two veterans as they prepare for another battle under the lights.

In the seven games where Cousins and Stafford have faced each other as starters, Cousins holds the edge with a 5‑2 record over Stafford.

That trend reflects more than just wins and losses; in those head‑to‑head matches, Cousins has been more efficient passing the ball. Over those seven games, Cousins completed 161 of 221 passes for nearly 2,000 yards, throwing 16 touchdowns against just two interceptions. His passer rating in this matchup sample sits well above Stafford’s, at 120.8 compared with 85.5 for Stafford.

Stafford, though more experienced overall, has struggled to match Cousins in these direct meetings. In the same seven games, Stafford completed 155 of 242 attempts for 1,646 yards, throwing 10 touchdowns but seven interceptions. His completion percentage in the head‑to‑head sample is significantly lower than Cousins’ 72.9 percent to 64.0 percent, and his passer rating illustrates that efficiency gap.

Cousins has run more often, with 19 carries for 34 yards and two rushing touchdowns compared with Stafford’s 12 attempts for 55 yards and no scores.

Looking at their broader career profiles confirms Stafford’s greater longevity in the league. Stafford has started in 237 games since entering the NFL, completing 5,515 of 8,685 passes for 63.5 percent and totalling more than 63,900 passing yards with 417 touchdowns and 193 interceptions. By contrast, Cousins has started in 172 games, completing 3,903 of 5,847 passes for 66.8 percent and accumulating nearly 44,400 yards with 296 scores and 130 interceptions.

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The Atlanta Falcons will next play the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia on Monday 29 December 2025. The game is scheduled to kick off at 8:15 pm Eastern Standard Time and will be broadcast on ESPN as part of Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season.

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