LONDON -- It took less than six seasons for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to break the team's record for passing touchdowns.

With his 119th career touchdown pass coming in the third quarter on a 59-yard play to Golden Tate on Sunday, Stafford passed Bobby Layne for the top spot in franchise history.

After the record-breaker, Stafford made sure he was able to claim the ball.

“I was glad to get my hands on it. It’s going to mean a lot somewhere down the road,” Stafford said. “I think hopefully it’s not the last touchdown pass for the Lions. Hopefully got a whole lot more coming, but it’s something pretty special and to play for six years, really four-and-a-half healthy, and so it’s been nice.”

It was a play in which Stafford used the skills that have suited him most during his career. He evaded pressure from the Atlanta Falcons, moved up in the pocket and found a streaking Tate down the right sideline. Then, he used his arm to throw a perfectly placed ball to Tate.

It might have been one of Stafford's best plays of the season.

Stafford already has franchise records for passing yards, completions and attempts.