Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford plays to offensive strengths

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is a versatile, valued quarterback has proven to play to the strengths of his offense’s personnel.

A lot has been said about Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and his abilities, stats, win totals – all-time or versus playoff teams, playoff appearances and playoff wins – or lack thereof.

Stafford has led eight come-from-behind game-winning drives in one season in 2016 and ranks 13th overall in NFL history in game-winning drives with 33. Two behind Carson Palmer and Warren Moon, and 21 behind Peyton Manning.

Stafford has thrown for more than 5,000 yards in a single season. He’s thrown for more than 4,000 yards in seven straight season. These accomplishments have left him mocked by many as “Stat Padford” or other cheesy names. But, he plays his game. And his game is much better than other starting quarterbacks in the league.

Those keen to football and strategy clamor for coaches to use their players’ strengths instead of forcing them into a scheme that doesn’t fit their style of play. Now, when we take a look at Stafford, he’s done that with the weapons around him on the Detroit Lions offense over the years.

With a generational talent at wide receiver, Stafford threw the ball all over the field for former teammate Calvin Johnson. Doing so resulted in playoff appearances that the city of Detroit has longed for. Playoff victories aside, it led to seasons the city and fan base could be proud of. It also resulted in the best receiving season by a wide receiver as Johnson gained 1,964 yards in 2012.

Stafford threw the ball deep. He threw it into triple coverage. He threw it anywhere Johnson was heading as they moved the ball down the field. But when Johnson retired, Stafford’s game changed. He had a new receiver in Golden Tate. A shifty, make-them-miss type of player.

How did this change for Stafford? It resulted in him leading the league in yards from screen passes since 2014 with 852 of this 2,347 yards going to Tate over that time frame. A very different style of play than when he had Johnson playing out wide.

Stafford is adaptable. He’s playing to his receiver’s strengths. Is it playcalling? Is it his offensive coordinator? Is it the head coach? It doesn’t seem to matter. He’s still making plays. Until he loses players midseason and the wheels fall off as they did in 2018. But when he has a full season to prepare and has his same weapons available all year, he racks up more than 4,000 yards for his team.

The thing is, Stafford can make all the throws. It’s cliche, but it’s true. And he can make more plays than people expect, even his own receivers. For example, look at the under-the-waist sidearm throw he made to new tight end T.J. Hockenson on Friday night. He looked like former Oakland Athletics pitcher Dennis Eckersley firing the ball on that play.

The pass, unsurprisingly, surprised Hockenson. All of Stafford’s receivers need to keep their heads on a swivel. If there’s a way to get the ball to them, Stafford will find it. Had Hockenson hauled in that pass, there’s a very high probability that the would have scored.

So, knowing Matthew Stafford is capable of playing to his receivers strengths, what will his identity be this year? Underneath passes to T.J. Hockenson? Throwing it deep to receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones? Will Kerryon Johnson take over the screen pass volume? We’ll find out soon enough.