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Detroit Lions: Was the NFL’s ranking of Matthew Stafford fair?

By Michael Kirkland

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after the Lions defeated the Browns 38-24 at Ford Field on November 12, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after the Lions defeated the Browns 38-24 at Ford Field on November 12, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Ryan passes
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Number 9, Matt Ryan

It’s tough to rank nine guys who are the top of their position. So, admittedly, I’m splitting hairs in many ways. Matt Ryan is a consistent guy. He has had 4,000 yards passing for the last seven years straight. That puts him in this elite company all by itself. The Atlanta Falcons went 10-6 with him under center in 2017.

The reasons that he’s at #9 is that his touchdown production is low, interceptions were still pretty high, and his help factors are pretty high. In other words, I don’t think that he was as responsible for his team’s success this past year as the guys ahead of him. He had a top 10 defense, took less sacks than all but 3 of his peers on this list, and had a better than average run game, as well.

TD rank: 8th (20)

INT rank:7th (12)

Comp. % rank: 4th (64.7%)

Games played:16

Help factors:

Sacks taken rank: 4th (24)

Run game: 13th in NFL

Defense: 8th in scoring

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