Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford’s play still in question

Three straight losses by the Detroit Lions could spell doom for the season. Is Matthew Stafford the problem? Or is it the rest of the team?

The Detroit Lions looked awful on Sunday during their double-digit loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Playing that way at home is a real shame for a team that wants to elevate itself out of the NFL’s basement.

One of the more impressive players thus far this season has been quarterback Matthew Stafford – 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions in six games. Last year, Stafford was an easy target for why the Detroit Lions only had six wins. He was terrible, plain and simple.

Part of the issues last season might have been a back injury. Part of the good play this season might be the acquisition of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who has done a decent job thus far with a more aggressive offense.

And that offense has paid off for Stafford, who has cut down on the mistakes and made some great throws down the field. But not everyone believes Matthew does enough.

On Monday’s The Herd, host Colin Cowherd talked about what he sees as the biggest issue with Matthew Stafford. Specifically, he thinks that Stafford isn’t ready to make the big plays when called upon (10-21-19):

"“I don’t sense urgency … I get a bunch of yards. And I get a bunch of nice plays. But on those big third downs late in games, I didn’t sense what I see with Lamar Jackson. What I see with Tom Brady or Drew Brees… Like every play matters; every play is intense.”"

Before delving into the much-maligned quarterback, let’s be clear: the defense looked uninspired against the Vikings on Sunday. The previous five games were not record-setting or shut down by any measure. But the defense was forcing turnovers, making big stops, and just generally being tenacious with their tackles and hits. All of that defensive intensity was missing against Minnesota.

But there were moments in the game that Stafford could have made a play to keep pace with the Viking offense. And in the second half, the Detroit Lions offense only mustered nine points.

Matthew isn’t the guy that carries a team. If the Lions want that guy, they need to go out and start drafting quarterbacks until they find one. And even that doesn’t guarantee ever discovering one – even one that is as good as Stafford, despite his limitations.

Stafford is capable. And what he needs is a team around him that can put him in position to win the game. The defense cannot play that way and expect Matthew to win the game. He is not elite. He cannot do that.

This upcoming game on Sunday against the New York Giants is going to say a lot about this team. The Detroit Lions are clearly better than the Giants, although at this point in the season they look about even.

The defense needs to get it together. Stafford needs to continue to play well. But this season is slipping away with three straight losses.

There have been some bad breaks this season, but the game against the Vikings was simply a punch in the mouth. It was embarrassing. It was certainly hard to watch. If it happens again this Sunday, what is left goal-wise for this franchise?