Ranking 39 NFL quarterbacks: Where does Matthew Stafford rank?

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 20: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 20: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Lions dynamic duo of WR's
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions team factors

In an effort to look at the situation of each year, next we will list the main options that Stafford had around him, the team’s leading rusher, and who his offensive coordinator was. Numbers without context are often misleading. We used the Detroit Lions website and Pro Football Reference for assistance.

What you should see is that Stafford’s coaching has been fluctuating, his cast has continuously changed, and he has had little help from a run game, unlike many of his peers.

Detroit Lions 2015:

Receiving leaders: Calvin Johnson (1,214 yards, 9 TD’s), Golden Tate (813 yards, 6 TD’s), Theo Riddick (697 yards, 3 TD’s), Eric Ebron (537 yards, 5 TD’s)

Rushing leader: Ameer Abdullah (597 yards, 2 TD’s)

Offensive coordinator: Joe Lombardi & Jim Bob Cooter (Lions went 7-9 under Jim Caldwell)

Detroit Lions 2016:

Receiving leaders: Golden Tate (1,077 yards, 4 TD’s), Marvin Jones (930 yards, 4 TD’s), Eric Ebron (711/1), Anquan Boldin (584/8)

Rushing leader: Theo Riddick (357 yards, 1 TD)

Offensive coordinator: Jim Bob Cooter (Lions went 9-7 under Jim Caldwell)

Detroit Lions 2017:

Receiving leaders: Golden Tate (1,003 yards, 5 TD’s), Marvin Jones (1,101 yards, 9 TD’s), Eric Ebron (574/4), Kenny Golladay (477/3)

Rushing leader: Ameer Abdullah (552 yards, 4 TD’s)

Offensive coordinator: Jim Bob Cooter (Lions went 9-7 under Jim Caldwell)

Detroit Lions 2018:

Receiving leaders: Kenny Golladay (1,063 yards, 5 TD’s), Marvin Jones (508 yards, 5 TD’s), Theo Riddick (384/0), Levine Toilolo (263/1)

Rushing leader: Kerryon Johnson (641 yards, 3 TD’s)

Offensive coordinator: Jim Bob Cooter (Lions went 6-10 under Matt Patricia)

Detroit Lions 2019:

Receiving leaders: Kenny Golladay (1,190 yards, 11 TD’s), Marvin Jones (779 yards, 9 TD’s), Danny Amendola (678/1), T.J. Hockenson (367/2)

Rushing leader: Kerryon Johnson (403 yards, 3 TD’s)

Offensive coordinator: Darrell Bevell (Lions went 3-12-1 under Matt Patricia)

Now, let’s look at Stafford’s production given his inconsistent cast.