Has Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford Reached A Plateau?

Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

2014

Following the 2013 season, the media and even some of the Lions fan base began to place the blame of Detroit’s late season collapse on Stafford — and it was hard to argue against that notion.

It was at that point that Jim Schwartz and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan would lose their jobs, and quarterback whisperer, Jim Caldwell would take over.

Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been widely assumed that one of the main reasons Caldwell was given the head coaching job in Detroit was because of his thorough film review and analysis of all of Stafford’s throws in 2013 prior to his interview with Martin Mayhew. Caldwell possessed a highly regarded track record of working with some of the best signal callers in the NFL in Peyton Manning and Joe Flacco, and the hopes were that he could help “re-birth” the Lions former No. 1 overall pick.

For the most apart, it seems as though he has been successful. At least to the this point.

Stafford finished the 2014 season with 4,257 passing yards, with 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and a QB rating of 85.7. The Lions also made the post-season once again with a record of 11-5, eventually losing to the Dallas Cowboys in controversial fashion during their Wildcard game.

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