DETROIT -- Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford set another first-to mark in the final game of the 2017 season Sunday, becoming the fastest player in NFL history to 3,000 completions.
Stafford, who reached the milestone in 125 games, entered Sunday's game needing 15 completions to hit 3,000 in his career. He did so on a 5-yard pass to running back Tion Green in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers. He is currently No. 25 in completions in NFL history.
He broke a record set by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who needed 130 games. Every quarterback in the top five of the milestone other than Peyton Manning is active. After Stafford and Ryan, Drew Brees did it in 133 games, Manning in 139, and both Aaron Rodgers and Carson Palmer in 141.
Next up on the career-completions list for Stafford is Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler, who entered Sunday with 3,047 completions.
Stafford also made other moves up the all-time passing lists Sunday. He moved into 29th place in passing yards, moving past Jim Hart.
Stafford entered the game with 34,426 yards, 239 yards behind Hart. With 1:38 in the third quarter, Stafford completed a 71-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate to surpass Hart.
Stafford bested Hall of Famers Steve Young, Y.A. Tittle, Troy Aikman and Kurt Warner on the all-time passing-yards list this season.
Provided he is healthy, Stafford has a chance to come close to the top 20 in all-time yards by the end of next season. Rodgers is currently No. 20 with 38,502 yards, and Dave Krieg is No. 21 with 38,147 career yards.
Stafford also moved into 32nd place all time in career touchdown passes. He surpassed John Brodie, who had 214 for the San Francisco 49ers. With three in the first three quarters, Stafford now has 216 career touchdown throws.
Stafford was helped this season by having two 1,000-yard receivers. Marvin Jones hit the mark for the first time in his career last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Tate eclipsed 1,000 yards on the touchdown pass from Stafford -- the third time in his four seasons with Detroit he has gone over the mark.
It was also the fourth straight season Tate has had more than 90 receptions.
