Ranking 39 NFL quarterbacks: Where does Matthew Stafford rank?

Detroit Lions Stafford by the numbers, last five years

Here we have accumulated Stafford’s stats, averaged them out over our five-year look-back and help interpret the numbers some by comparing them to a crazy set of stats put up by MVP, dual-threat, Baltimore Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Numbers were taken from Pro Football Reference, here.

Matthew Stafford passing yards last 5 years: 19,311, or he averaged 268.2 yards/ game, (4,291 per season)

Completion percentage: 1711 completions/ 2597 attempts, or a 65.9% rate of completion.

Touchdowns/ Interceptions: 125 to 49, (27.8 TD’s/ 10.9 Int’s)

Average 5-year stat line: 4,291 yards, 28 TD’s, 11 Int’s, 65.9% comp %

If you simply doubled Stafford’s  eight games from 2019: 4,998 yards, 38 TD’s, 10 Int’s, 64.3% comp %

Lamar Jackson’s video-game, MVP 2019 stat line: 3,128 yards, 36 TD’s, 6 Int’s, 66.1% comp % (1,206 yards rushing, 7 TD’s), stats here.

All-Pro Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson 2019 stats: 4,110 yards, 31 TD’s, 5 Int’s, 66.1% comp % (342 yards rushing, 3 TD’s rushing), stats here.

Conclusion

Regardless of which numbers that a person may look at, averages or extrapolating what 2019 could’ve been, it shouldn’t take long to see a resemblance between Stafford, Wilson, and Jackson in production. They don’t play the position the same way but they all do it at an elite level.

It is a valid point to discuss his slightly higher interception ratio than his younger, more decorated counterparts. Applying the eye test to both sets of numbers has to at least pique your interest, though, right? His ranking fifth in total quarterback rating, a data analytics-driven objective formula tells the same story. Right now, Stafford is playing quarterback as well as almost any player in the NFL.

Stafford is an elite quarterback and the Detroit Lions should continue to improve his cast, give him a better run game and line, and allow him to shine as the centerpiece of the team. It’s just our opinion, though, what do we know?