Time the Detroit Lions prepare for life without Matthew Stafford

The Detroit Lions are woefully underprepared to win games without Matthew Stafford. With injuries plaguing him, they should prepare for life without him.

After starting in 136 consecutive games under center for the Detroit Lions, quarterback Matthew Stafford was ruled out for a critical matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Without the 10-year veteran under center, Detroit predictably struggled on the offensive side of the ball, losing to their NFC North foe, 20-13.

Fourth-year backup quarterback Jeff Driskel got the start in place of Stafford. Although Driskel put up a decent stat-line completing 27 of his 46 passes for 269 yards, one touchdown, and one interception; the Lions’ offense looked anemic under his dink, dunk, or run-style.

Although the Lions’ defense was able to do enough to keep the score close in the first half, allowing the Bears to take a 7-6 lead into halftime, Detroit gave up two touchdowns in the third quarter leading to a 20-6 deficit going into the final frame.

Although Driskel was able to pull off a miracle deep touchdown pass to wide receiver Kenny Golladay with 6:00 left in the ball game, inaccurate passes and dropped balls plagued the Lions’ passing attack the entire contest.

At the end of the day, the Lions simply missed Stafford too much. Detroit’s rushing attack, which had already been struggling, only got worse with rookie running back Ty Johnson suffering a concussion in the first quarter. And Detroit’s defense continues to be reliably inconsistent.

The only thing the Lions had going for them was their passing game. And without Stafford, Detroit was sunk. Despite that fact, the Lions were once again one decent throw away from tying the game. But that’s been a common narrative all-season long for the Motor City as they always seem just one play away from either winning and losing.

Still, with Stafford missing his first start since September of 2011, the durability of the 10-year veteran passer has to finally be taken seriously. According to reports, the 31-year old quarterback is suffering from small bone fractures in his back. It’s being described as similar to the back injuries that ultimately ended Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo’s career.

Stafford suffered through back issues last year, but he was still able to play a full-16 game schedule. He’s also been dealing with a hip injury for the majority of this season. The fact is, despite his relativity young age, Stafford has been an NFL quarterback for a decade now. And those hits stack up (347 total sacks taken).

The Lions’ front office has done little in the way of preparing for Stafford’s eventual absence. The franchise has drafted just two quarterbacks since Stafford was made the number one overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. Both of those passers were selected in the sixth round: Miami’s Brad Kaaya in 2017 and Michigan’s Jake Rudolph in 2016.

For the first time in near a decade, the Detroit Lions got a glimpse of what life would be like without Matthew Stafford under center. That should be enough to spur them into action and to finally find themselves a quality insurance policy as a backup who could possibly one day become Stafford’s eventual heir.