The previous time he threw five touchdowns in a game was on Thanksgiving in 2015 in Detroit’s 45-14 win over the Eagles.
On Sunday, he had little trouble with Jacksonville’s defense by connecting with Davante Adams for three scores at the iconic home of English soccer.
Stafford, who has thrown 12 touchdowns with no interceptions in his past four games, also connected with rookie receiver Konata Mumpfield and rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson in the London rout.
Stafford and Adams found the right time to connect because Puka Nacua missed the game with an ankle injury.
“We saw a few opportune moments to go and take advantage of some 1-on-1s,” said Adams, who noted that he and Stafford had been exchanging extra text messages in recent weeks and “talking through certain things.”
Adams became the second player to score three touchdowns in an international game. The NFL said the first was Marcedes Lewis, who had three in Jacksonville’s 44-7 win over the Ravens at Wembley in 2017.
Adams, who caught two touchdown passes in the first half, then added a third on a 1-yard jump ball that sent Jags fans to the exits.
Stafford completed 21 of 33 passes for 182 yards. Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished 23 of 48 for 296 yards and the touchdown pass to Hunter.
In 2014, Stafford engineered Detroit’s 22-21 comeback win over the Falcons after trailing 21-0 at halftime.
“It’s a blast. Sometimes travel is tough, but once you get out here, the fans are great, people are great,” the 37-year-old quarterback said.