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

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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Brees drops back
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints passes the ball in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Number 6, Drew Brees

Here’s another guy ranked in the top 10, but that I don’t have in my top 5. Everyone loves Drew Brees, he’s the pro’s pro. Super Bowl winner, ultimate competitor, and model citizen.

Also, he has more 4,000 yard and 5,000 yard seasons than any other player in the NFL. Also, Brees is one missed tackle from a possible Super Bowl appearance. The Saints went 11-5 in a tough, NFC South division.

Why is he number six? Although his completion percentage is as high as any quarterback has ever had, his touchdown to interception ratio isn’t up to its normal stature; compounding that, he had almost as much help as any quarterback can hope for; the Saints were a top 10 defense and he had the fifth best run game.

You can say that he was efficient, but his numbers just aren’t as good as some of his peers. Brees gets a lot of credit for his past accomplishments and reputation, a common problem with the NFL’s list.

TD rank: 6th (23)

INT rank:4th (8)

Comp. % rank: 1st (72.0%)

Games played:16

Help factors:

Sacks taken rank: 1st (20)

Run game: 5th in NFL

Defense: 10th in scoring (20.4 pts/ gm)

Schedule