Detroit Lions: Darrell Bevell’s early impact on Matthew Stafford
Through just four games so far, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is posting some quality numbers under a new offensive coordinator.
Entering his 11th season in the NFL, some likely suspected that we’ve already seen the best out of 31-year old Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. Coming off a down 6-10 season under first-time head coach Matt Patricia, there was some speculation that Stafford’s time in the Motor City might be coming to an end.
After all, since becoming the Lions’ first overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, Stafford has failed to produce a single postseason victory in Detroit. And based on last year’s poor performance, success seemed to be yet another head coach away.
But this offseason, the Lions hired Darrell Bevell to become the team’s new offensive coordinator. And Detroit figured to be more of a run-centric team under Bevell, someone who fostered the careers of Hall of Fame-worthy running backs like Adrian Peterson with the Minnesota Vikings and Marshawn Lynch with the Seattle Seahawks, the new OC in Motown figured to make second-year phenom Kerryon Johnson the Crown Jewel of their revamped offense.
Although the Lions have the 11th ranked rushing offense in the NFL right now, averaging 120.5 yards per game, it’s Stafford that seems to be benefiting the most from Bevell’s presence. The veteran passer is experiencing a career-resurgence. And Stafford’s confidence appears to be growing by the game. Anyone who watched him make those ultra-tight window throws against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday can attest to that.
Matthew Stafford was on the money against KC! #OnePride pic.twitter.com/zuVVOxBYg9
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 2, 2019
The numbers don’t lie. Bevell’s impact on Stafford has been measurable. The Lions’ signal-caller currently has a career-high 102.6 passer rating. Through four games, Stafford has thrown for 1,122 yards, nine touchdowns, and only two interceptions.
Next. Report Card - Grading the Detroit Lions at the quarter mark. dark
More importantly might be the way Darrell Bevell is using Matthew Stafford in the Detroit Lions’ new offense. According to Sports Info Solutions, Stafford is throwing the football for 20-yards or more 19.9 percent of the time. That’s up from a mere 8.6 percent in 2018. Bevell clearly believes Stafford’s long ball ability has been underutilized in Detroit, something fans have been pleading for the Lions to do more. He’s connected on 19 of those long ball throws, which is the fifth-most in the league.