Matthew Stafford has been the face of this franchise since the Lions used the number one overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft to select him. He has put up big numbers, but always had the knock against him that he couldn’t win the big games.
Yet his late-game magic was undeniable, especially just two years ago he set an NFL record by leading the Lions to eight come from behind victories in one season.
Now the magic seems to be gone.
After a horrible opener against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football, Stafford pulled himself together and raised his level of play. But that level got stuck in neutral then fell way back into reverse when the Lions traded away Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles.
It has now fallen completely off the table with the loss of Marvin Jones to injury for the remainder of the season.
Last Sunday the Los Angeles Rams defensive front, especially Aaron Donald, dominated the Lions offensive line and harassed Stafford all day. That would be the latest poor showing by the Lions O-line which started the year protecting Stafford well but has steadily gone downhill. Especially over the last month or so.
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Kerryon Johnson, who has shown signs of being a star, has missed the last two games after injuring himself against the Carolina Panthers, which adds another missing play-maker to the equation.
However, the Lions did rush for just over 100 yards in each of the last two games as a team meaning that Matthew is still getting some help from the ground game, even if opposing defenses know there is no breakaway threat in the Lions backfield at this time.
Both of those games were close in the fourth quarter with opportunities for the Lions to win, yet Stafford turnovers sealed Detroit’s fate in both games. Two interceptions against the Bears gave Chicago the lead on a pick six, then the second one clinched the game late with the Lions in scoring position.
Last Sunday his late fumble allowed the Rams to add to their lead which pretty much cost the Lions the game.
No one is more frustrated than Stafford I’m sure. But poor play and late game mistakes from any team’s quarterback will lose more games faster than any other method.
When we add in the poor play-calling by Jim Bob Cooter this season, the two of them have made for a losing combination for the Lions offense.
So after all of that, who is more to blame; Matt Patricia or Matthew Stafford?