Detroit Lions: Is Matthew Stafford the $25 Million Dollar Man?
The “Other Quarterbacks do” Argument
Almost every Stafford detractor believes that good quarterbacks win games. As in- personally, and independently, they win games. Here are some reasons that theory doesn’t work.
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The 2016 New England Patriots, who won Super Bowl 51, ranked eighth in defensive yards given up, first in points given up by their defense, and seventh in rushing yards per game by their offense. The offense was fourth overall in yard production, and third in points, according to NFL.com.
So, while Tom Brady is inexorably tied to the success of his team, he is not a one man wrecking crew. He has a bunch of help. You cannot deny that this quality of help has never existed in a Blue and Silver uniform.
Another pertinent example is Aaron Rodgers 2016 playoff run. If you can find a hotter quarterback going into and through the playoffs than Rodgers was last year, it must be in a video game. When the Packers met the Atlanta Falcons in the conference championship, though, you got to see what a great team can do to a great quarterback who doesn’t get help from his defense.
The Falcons won easily, 44-21. Rodgers played well but lack of defense and run game made it an uphill battle from the beginning. This has been the hallmark of Detroit Lions teams for most of their playoff win drought, including Stafford’s career.
There are other arguments but these are the strongest, most common reasons some Detroit Lions fans favor a change under center.