Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford will be X-Factor in Week 7

The 2015 season has gotten off to a dreadful start for the Detroit Lions, as after reaching the playoffs last season, the Lions started the season 0-5.

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In Week 6 against the Chicago Bears, the Lions were finally able to get their first win of the season, as they were shockingly the last team in the NFL to do so. A three-point overtime win against the Bears at home isn’t something to brag about, but it could be the win that helps keep the Lions from having one of the worst records in football.

There is still some great talent on the Lions, and that talent finally showed up in their Week 6 win against the Bears.

After being taken out of the game in their recent blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals at home, Matthew Stafford put together his best game of the season to help lead his team to a win. In the win, Stafford totaled 405 passing yards, four touchdown passes, and just one interception. It was the first time all season that Stafford had a game with over 300 passing yards, which was something he did four times in 2014.

The overall season numbers from Stafford are still very unimpressive even after his great game against the Bears. In 2015, Stafford has totaled 1,610 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

A major reason why Stafford played much better in Week 6 was the play from his star wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Like Stafford, Johnson has had a down season, but against the Bears he was able to total six receptions, 166 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. It was just the first time this season that Johnson was able to total over 100 receiving yards.

The duo of Stafford and Johnson have played great games together for years, and Week 6 was surprisingly the first time we have seen that this season.

Oct 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

In Week 7, the Lions will be playing the Minnesota Vikings for the second time already this season, and they will be looking to get revenge from their 26-16 loss earlier this season. In the loss to the Vikings, Stafford didn’t play awful, as he totaled 286 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and one interception. Stafford was also the team’s leading rusher with 20 rushing yards.

The Lions certainly need to run the ball more effectively this season, but with little success in that aspect of the game, a lot of the pressure falls onto the arm of Stafford.

After five straight losses to start the season, the Lions’ chances of making the playoffs are extremely slim, but that won’t stop them from giving it their all this week. If the Lions are to defeat the 3-2 Vikings, they will need a vintage performance from Stafford.

Having a great game against Minnesota’s defense will be a difficult task, as they rank eighth in the NFL in total yards allowed, and also rank seventh in passing yards allowed.

The play of Stafford can either make or break the Lions in Week 7 which makes him the Lions’ x-factor.

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