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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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Stafford barks out calls
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 06: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls out instructions in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 6, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Number 4, Matthew Stafford

If you want to chalk this up to bias, I’m actually cool with that; this article IS on a Lions blog. However, if you look at the numbers, the ranking stacks up with the numbers. Matt Stafford is a gunslinger, and a true Brett Favre, John Elway type of talent, both in good and bad ways.

His touch, decision-making, and propensity to throw to the other team have been statistically improved, making him an elite quarterback. The Detroit Lions went 9-7, just missing the playoffs in 2017, leading to the hiring of new head coach, Matt Patricia.

Stafford is number four because he still has a slightly higher turnover ratio, still holds the ball too long at times, and just isn’t quite as productive in touchdowns; he arguably gets less help than any other player on the list, though.

Notice that I am saying that a few of the 47 sacks were probably on him for holding the ball too long. Stafford has found his greatest success under current OC, Jim Bob Cooter.

TD rank: 4th (29)

INT rank: 5th (10)

Comp. % rank: 3rd (65.7%)

Games played:16

Help factors:

Sacks taken rank: 9th (47)

Run game: 32nd in NFL

Defense: 21st in scoring (23.5 pts/ gm)

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