Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford and the ‘Great Quarterback’ myth

Detroit Lions and Stafford  in 2014

Matthew Stafford had several more big yardage years prior to 2014 but it is notable because the team went 11-5 and went to the playoffs again. This year Stafford did make the Pro-Bowl and it features what is probably the biggest heartbreak in recent memory, the loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wildcard game with the pass interference that was and then wasn’t that ended the Lions chances of a comeback.

The defense was the big story that year but Stafford’s 4,257 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions were pretty good for any pro quarterback. His 60.3% completion rate was part of a trend of the Lions being among the top teams in pass attempts every year because they had no run game to speak of, again.

While Calvin Johnson was still on the team and he did eclipse the 1,000-yard mark, it was Golden Tate who took over as the top target, in part due to Johnson’s injury status. Johnson was out for three games but was largely ineffective in another half dozen. At playoff time he was a game-time decision and played despite being at much less than 100%.

While 2013 was the only year that Stafford has had a 1,000-yard running back, Reggie Bush, by 2014 Bush was also sidelined for much of the year, too. A healthy Bush, Tate, and Johnson would’ve made the Detroit Lions a formidable opponent to defense had they have been healthier as a team.

Golden Tate had 1,331 yards and 4 scores on the year and was the lone healthy option of the big names. Joique Bell, the power back, tried to handle the load as a runner but wasn’t as explosive as Bush and Bell ended the year with 860 yards as the lead rusher.

The Detroit Lions limped into the game versus the Dallas Cowboys where Calvin had a decent game in limited snaps and Tate played well for getting lots of extra attention, too. Stafford finished with 323 yards and a touchdown but it was Stafford’s two lost fumbles and interception that speak to how the lack of help really hurt the Lions.

The ground game was not a threat most of the game, Johnson wasn’t himself, and the last throw to tight end Brandon Pettigrew showed how desperate the Lions were for someone to make a play. The defense, which was third in the NFL for the regular season, didn’t offer enough help to the battered offense. Giving up 24 points is too many when two of your top three players are hobbled.

Stafford had a very good season, overall, under head coach Jim Caldwell without a couple of complimentary threats, they were beaten by a healthier Dallas team who also got the benefit of one of the worst calls in recent playoff history when the referees picked up the pass interference flag.

We’re sorry to have to make Lions fans relive that. Our apologies.