Grading the 2014 Detroit Lions: Taking A Closer Look At the Offense

Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford: B-. It was a much improved year for Stafford given how Jim Caldwell turned him into a better game manager. His 22 touchdowns and 4,257 yards passing were far from personal bests, but Stafford only threw 12 interceptions, the lowest number of his career. Still, even though the Lions won 11 games, Stafford didn’t enjoy a defining moment in a significant road game or in the playoffs, lending to questions of if he will ever be able to win the big game. He’ll need to take major steps in this department next season, his seventh in the league, or the Lions will have to begin considering a move.

Dan Orlovsky: Incomplete. Orlovsky was seen but not heard, as most good NFL backups should be. He didn’t complete a pass, as evidence by the fact that punter Sam Martin was Detroit’s second leading thrower on the season. That was hardly bad news considering Orlovsky’s shaky, inconsistent preseason.