Detroit Lions: 3 X-factor players for Week 8 vs. Colts
By Tayyib Abu
1. Matthew Stafford, QB
Matthew Stafford is special. If you didn’t know it by now, his game-winning drive against Atlanta proved it once again. Stafford was at his incredible best as he threw strike after strike to march the Detroit Lions downfield and score the touchdown.
Stafford was slow out of the gate but, ultimately, that shouldn’t be surprising given the strange offseason. But he came alive in that last drive as Detroit went into their two-minute offense. The Lions could not run the ball and Stafford was still able to steal the win.
He’ll have to be at his best this week, though. Given the concerns for the Lions running game in this one, Stafford will have to take down the Colts secondary. He will also have to do it under pressure as this Colts front is scary. But for all the concerns, Stafford is still special.
He is still the gutsy, competitive leader of this team. If Darrell Bevell is happy to take the handbrake off his quarterback, Stafford could cook in this game. Yes, the Colts secondary is talented, but the Lions have many weapons in the passing game.
If Stafford starts as he finished at Atlanta, he could have a great day. He is the better quarterback on the field and, if Bevell puts the ball in Stafford’s hands, the Lions offense could fly. He is the ultimate X-factor in this game.
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Stafford has all the talent and experience, and the Detroit Lions will need him spearheading the charge to victory. Back at home and with all his playmakers healthy on offense, Stafford should have a strong day and he will be the difference-maker in this game.