Ranking Matthew Stafford’s eight fourth quarter comebacks in 2016
By Ty Finch
Matthew Stafford set an NFL record last year for eight fourth quarter comeback wins in the 2016 season, but you knew that already. Any Lions fan with a smartphone knows that.
I’m not here to repeat old facts to you kind folks, but to put that record into perspective. And, of course, to rank all eight comebacks because that’s what everyone wants in the end. They tell me these are factually correct rankings, for your information. These are the best rankings, and no one else’s rankings have ever been as good. Period. Please no questions. Let’s get right into it.
8. Lions 24 Eagles 23
For most of the game, the Lions defense was up to their usual level of play. Carson Wentz was taking every underneath throw possible and the defense was giving it to him. Then, something changed in the 4th quarter.
Down by two with 2:41 left to go in the game, Darius Slay lived up to his “Big Play Slay” moniker and forced a fumble on Eagles running back Ryan Matthews that was recovered by the Lions. After a few short gains, the offense found itself in a 3rd and 4 situation, and Stafford threw his best pass of the day. Off his back foot and on a timing route, the ball floated in the air like a leaf falling from a tree in autumn and into the waiting hands of Golden Tate. An unnecessary roughness penalty and a few runs later, Matt Prater kicked the go-ahead field goal. Darius Slay would not let Carson Wentz try and reciprocate, and intercepted him on the first play of the ensuing drive.
Rating: Stafford threw his best pass of the game in the most important moment, but the defense, and Slay in particular, get most of the credit for this one. 6.4/10 Jim Caldwell excited face.
7. Lions 20 Bears 17
With 6:59 left in the game, the 8th year quarterback took over the ball. The offense did not even face a 3rd down on the drive, as Stafford drove down the field and capped off the drive with a bulldozing seven-yard touchdown run. However, had Stafford not tossed a 24-yard pick-six on the previous drive, the comeback may not have had to happen.
The story of the game was on the ensuing drive by the Bears and **rubs eyes** surging quarterback Matt Barkley? Barkley was having another good game, which was not surprising considering the Lions’ defense. With 3:17 left, the final drive was brutal. The lead being only three points at the time, even a field goal could ruin the comeback. Barkley hit mid-range pass after mid-range pass to get into Lions territory. Then something amazing happened. The Lions were graced with the referees calling penalties for them. Barkley had two straight 20+ yard gains negated by holding calls on his offensive line. Backed up all the way to their own 37 on 1st and 30, Barkley had run out of magic.
Rating: I give more credit for game-winning touchdowns than field goals, even if meant coming back from a pick-six. But the Bears are bad, so I can’t rank it high. 6.7/10 Jim Caldwell excited face
6. Lions 31 Rams 28
Matthew Stafford had two different comeback drives in this game: one to tie the game and one to take the lead. Down by a touchdown with 14:05 left to play, Stafford engineered a 13 play, 84 yard drive to tie the game, capped off with a great catch and run from Golden Tate.
Improbably, the Lions defense held Case Keenum and the Rams to a quick 3 and out, and the Lions took over with 5:06 left in the game. Stafford led a time-draining drive with smart, quick passes and runs from Zach Zenner to set up a 34 yard field goal for Matt Prater. The defense once again held Keenum down on his next drive, this time intercepting him to end the game.
Rating: Two different drives late in the game for 10 points and the win gets a bit more credit. This game also occurred when the Rams were average, before the Goff fiasco. 6.9/10 Jim Caldwell excited face
5. Lions 16 Vikings 13
On Thanksgiving, Stafford and Slay once again teamed up to cap another improbable comeback. The Vikings were beginning their deep slide into mediocrity, but their defense was still a very good unit. And always remember, Sam Bradford holds the NFL record for completion percentage in a single season.
This “game winning drive” is a bit dubious, because it came after Darius Slay picked off the most accurate single-season passer in the NFL, and lasted one play (a kneel down) before a last second field goal. However, the drive before deserves to be the one remembered.
Starting at their own two-yard line after Jeff Locke uncorked a 57 yard punt out of bounds, the Lions put together the game-tying drive. Stafford hit passes of 7, 2, 29, 15, and 9 to move the Lions into field goal position where Prater would hit a 48 yarder. Darius Slay would not accept another overtime, however. He made yet another game-changing interception in the 4th quarter. The Lions took over at Minnesota’s 20, and Stafford put together a breath-taking 1 play, -2 yard drive to set up another Prater field goal, this time for the win and the sweep of the Vikings.
Rating: The Vikings defense was very good, and Stafford executed the game plan to perfection. Slay did make the biggest play of the game though. 7.3/10 Jim Caldwell excited face
