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Matthew Stafford’s Make it or Break it Season

By Frank Sumrall

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Calvin Johnson left a burning hole in the Detroit offense with his shocking retirement decision. Now it is up to Matthew Stafford to salvage his career and create a seamless bridge to the post-Megatron era.

Despite Herculean numbers from Calvin Johnson over his nine-year career; Detroit only made two postseason trips which resulted in two very quick one-and-dones. Johnson never won a single playoff game in his career.

It’s hard to blame their ineffectiveness on Megatron as their defense qualified as the tenth worst in 2011, Johnson’s first playoff appearance. When their defense awoke and scared opponents to just 17.6 points per game (good for third best in 2014), their offense grew stale ranking 11th worst in their second and final playoff appearance.

“There were only a handful of teams I would really watch tape on last year”-Matthew Stafford

Now with an offense with mediocre talent across the board, Matthew Stafford will have to prepare for the challenge 2016 presents. With a healthy Packers team, a surging Vikings squad and a youthful Bears band, it seems highly possible for the Lions to finish dead last in the NFC North.

Stafford shouldn’t  be expected to carry this team to the playoffs in the ever-competitive NFC conference, but he needs to show poise and give hope for the future that he can be a quarterback to rebuild around. This is his year to prove he can be a borderline elite quarterback.

Golden Tate will receive a bulk of Johnson’s workload this upcoming season, but the surrounding receivers could surprise the league in a breakout campaign. Marvin Jones, Jeremy Kerley, and Andre Caldwell can all play above their mediocre expectations if given the right opportunity.

Tate can be used as a crutch for Stafford when things go awry as Tate recorded a catch percentage of over 70%. Tate proved that he can handle a No. 1 receiver workload as he recorded 1,331 receiving yards in 2014 which resulted in his first Pro Bowl season.

Where the offense can fall apart starts with Eric Ebron. Tight ends are exponentially growing in value with every passing year and with an unpredictable quarterback like Stafford, a strong and durable tight end to dump off broken plays to can make a huge difference.

Ebron enters his third season with make it or break it expectations in today’s cutthroat NFL after two disappointing campaigns.

Critics scoff at Stafford’s absurd pass attempt numbers but the days of 727 attempts are over. He continues to slow down his game and last season he attempted a career low 592 attempts while completing a career-high 67.2% of them. Stafford needs to repeat those numbers in order to revitalize this offense.

In the end of the day, Stafford can only do so much with no run game. Detroit finished dead last in rushing yards with their four running backs combining for an abysmal 1,101 total rushing yards. With no signs of improvement, Stafford will be forced to throw the ball 600 times a season which creates quick three and outs and turnovers.

Stafford’s 13 interceptions in 2015 are the second lowest in a season for him, but still ranks in the top ten for most thrown in 2015. For this offense to be successful, that numbers needs to be single digits.

It’s a dark time for Detroit fans but Stafford can turn the team around if he can improve on efficiency and leadership. The crutch that was Megatron is no more leaving Stafford’s elite status to be determined in the 2016 season.

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