Lions hot topics: Jared Goff vs. Matthew Stafford by the numbers

Jared Goff vs. Matthew Stafford Continued

The other side is equally entrenched and uses Matthew Stafford’s prodigious individual numbers, especially after the Lions had help not just named Calvin, and highlights of his physical feats as proof. The argument goes something like, “Stafford has been asked to carry his team without the benefit of a good team around him for almost his entire career.”

Having one great player at wide receiver isn’t the same as having a 53-man roster that is playoff-caliber.

The Rams were a 7-9 team the year before drafting Goff, record breakdown from the Los Angeles Almanac website, whereas the Detroit Lions were 0-16 before drafting Stafford. Calvin Johnson was the only consistent Detroit weapon during Stafford’s first five years, Goff had Todd Gurley and a much better line, not to mention decent receivers, too.

By 2011, Stafford’s first full year healthy, the Detroit Lions did return to the playoffs but were dismantled by the New Orleans Saints. They returned to the playoffs in 2014 and 2016, both losses. The Detroit Lions had five winning seasons with three different head coaches during Stafford’s time in Detroit.

Stafford’s record-breaking Detroit career has a stat-line of 45,109 yards-passing, 282 touchdowns against 144 picks, and a 62.6% completion rate; all of which put him at sixteenth All-Time in yardage and scores. He also has orchestrated 31 comebacks and 38 game-winning drives, which ranks seventh and eighth All-Time, respectively, all stats from Pro Football Reference’s website.

Stafford hit the 45,000-yard milestone in fewer games than any of his peers, 165, and has eclipsed every other passing yardage milestone quicker, too. Stafford will likely end up near the Top-10 in both yards and touchdowns with a good first season under Rams coach Sean McVay and if he were to win a Super Bowl, could cement his path to the Hall of Fame.