Stafford put together a masterful performance on Sunday night, but couldn't get the team past 107 penalty yards
I’ll be the first to tell you that I’ve been hard on Detroit Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford this year. In my mind, the Lions live and die on his performance, and I only ridicule him because I understand his potential. Matthew Stafford has the ingredients to be a winner, and he showed us that Sunday night.
Coming into Sunday night’s contest against the Saints, Stafford had struggled mightily, tossing nine interceptions in his previous three games. Some say the picks were due to the glove Stafford wore on his throwing hand to protect a finger injury he sustained during the Lions’ 45-10 win over Denver.
After watching Stafford lead the Lions up and down the field on Sunday, I think I have to agree.
Stafford shed the glove and chucked for over 400 yards in New Orleans, completing 31 of 44 passes for a completion rate of 70.5%. He made solid decisions for most of the game, with his one interception coming late in the game on a desperation fourth down play.
Stafford moved the Lions down the field effectively, and hadn’t it been for over 100 penalty yards going against Detroit, the Lions would have had a chance to win the game. He showed both poise and arm strength, as well as a good rapport with wide receiver Nate Burleson. If Stafford and Burleson can develop a solid connection, the Lions become that much more dangerous with Calvin Johnson lurking opposite Burleson.
In wake of more troubling information coming out about Ndamukong Suh, and the alleged car crash, Stafford needs to be appreciated not only for his on-field improvements, but also his off-field demeanor. Stafford was known as a party animal in college, but since joining the Lions has had no detrimental off field incidents.
Stafford is growing as a player and as a role model in a time where role models are becoming few and far between.
I think maybe it’s time for Matt to sit down with Suh and be the young, talented captain the Lions need.
