Matthew Stafford’s play determines Detroit Lions’ future
By Dan Salem
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
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TODD:
The close victories are a legitimate concern. One-possession game outcomes are statistically random year to year. Case in point, two of Detroit’s losses came by just one possession as well.
Matthew Stafford and the offense have struggled, but it seems directly related to the missing cogs they have been without. The Lions have enough weapons to challenge any team in the league…when everyone is healthy. That just hasn’t been the case. Calvin Johnson was obviously the biggest hole to fill. Mega has played in just seven games and was a factor in only five of those. Reggie Bush has also been absent routinely this season, tallying just 53 total carries thus far on the season.
Theo Riddick has been a spectacular receiver out of the backfield, but he isn’t a supreme ball carrier. That means the entire rushing load has fallen on the shoulders of Joique Bell, himself often questionable in the injury reports.
I struggle to put the reasoning for the downtrodden Lions offense at the feet of Stafford. His numbers are certainly pretty poor, but where is the line between that being the quarterback’s fault and the quarterback needing some help, especially when factoring in the sack totals in regards to the offensive line?
Meanwhile, the Detroit defense is legit, like number one in the NFL legit. New England will be its biggest test of the season this Sunday, but the Lions already held Green Bay to seven points in week three.
Even if they split their remaining games with Chicago, 10 wins seems in the bag. I also like Stafford to pick up his game a little bit as the injured skill players re-acclimate themselves to the offense. It’s easier to run the ball when two defenders pick up Johnson, and it’ll certainly be easier to throw if the running backs become a threat. It’s a wheel that keeps on rolling…once it gets started.