Detroit Lions: A look at Matthew Stafford’s First 100 Games

The Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has had a record-setting start to his career. His first 100 games have had some breathtaking moments.

The Early Years

Matthew Stafford grew up in Texas and played at Highland Park High School. He started at quarterback for their varsity team, as a sophomore, at age 14. By his senior year, he was considered the top quarterback in high school, earning a five-star rating, as well as being the EA National High School Player of the Year in 2005.

Stafford started as a true freshman at Georgia. Improving every season, he went on to rewrite several Bulldogs records. By the end of his junior year, it was obvious that he had an NFL caliber arm and would likely be a high selection in the upcoming draft.

The Detroit Lions had the opportunity, and took advantage it, by selecting Stafford with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. And like at Georgia, he would be a day one starter for the Lions.

It didn’t take long for Stafford to leave his imprint on Lions fans. So, sit back, click-through the pages, watch some videos, and enjoy what #9 has done in his first 100 games.

2009

10 games, 2-8 record, 2,267 yards passing, 13 TD, 20 INT, 108 rush yards, 2 TD

April 24, 2009 Matthew Stafford was selected by the Detroit Lions. New head coach Jim Schwartz immediately named him the starting quarterback and his first game was September 9th, 2009. It wasn’t a memorable game for fans, as he completed 16 of 37, zero passing touchdowns, three interceptions, and one rushing touchdown.

His breakout game would come in November against the Cleveland Browns. In that game, Stafford became the youngest player (21 years, 288 days) ever, to throw for five touchdowns in a single game.

Here’s a look at Stafford’s end of game heroics, uncut, with an introduction from Steve Sabol:

“The kind of stuff that endears you to a city”, by Matt Shepard on the radio broadcast call, still gives me chills.

Stafford’s shoulder would eventually not recover, and in late December he would land on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

2010

3 games, 1-2 record, 535 passing yards, 6 TD, 1 INT, 11 rush yards, 1 TD

This was not an eventful season for the Lions quarterback. In the opening game he would injure his throwing shoulder, and would miss the next five games. When he returned, he only played in two more games before re-injuring the same shoulder in week nine. This time the injury would land him on injured reserve.

Now with a total of 19 games missed in his first two seasons, Stafford was starting to get the injury-prone label. But, he would quickly shed the “China Doll” label, and go on to start the next 87 games (and counting).

2011

16 games, 10-6 record, 5,038 passing yards, 41 TD, 16 INT, 78 rush yards

In what would be his first complete season, Stafford showed why he was the number one overall pick. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan’s offense asked Stafford to throw it early and often, and it worked with great success.

Stafford threw a touchdown in all 16 games, an NFL record. And in the final four games of the season, he threw for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns, another stat no one else has accomplished. He finished the season as only the fourth player in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards.

This fantastic season earned him the NFL Comeback player of the year 2011 award. But more importantly he led Lions to their first Playoff appearance since 1999.

Checkout a great highlight compilation of season highlights by Sandman:

2012

16 games, 4-12 record, 4,967 passing yards, 20 TD, 17 INT, 126 rush yards, 4 TD

Despite a terrible season for the Lions, Stafford still racked up the passing stats this season. Stafford would go on to set records for:

• Most yards thrown in a single game without a touchdown pass: 443
• Highest number of passing attempts in a season: 727
• Most games with 40+ pass attempts in a season: 13

While Linehan’s offense was still good at putting up yards, as you can see from the stats above, there was a significant drop in touchdown efficiency. This was the first cracks in the Linehan offensive game plan.

2013

16 games, 7-9 record, 4,650 passing yards, 29 TD, 19 INT, 69 rush yards, 2 TD

The stats would pour in again and when the touchdown efficiency improved so did the teams winning percentage. Stafford would go on to set several franchise and NFL records through his first 50 games, including most yards and completions.

But the highlight of the 2013 season was a game in late October vs the Dallas Cowboys, where Stafford decided to show the world the type of quarterback he could become. This drive is one of my favorite moments in Lions history:

Despite Stafford’s impressive statistical output, Jim Schwartz imploded by the end of the season, and he and his staff were fired after its conclusion.

2014

16 games, 11-5 record, 4,257 passing yards, 22 TD, 12 INT, 93 rush yards, 2 TD

Jim Caldwell, Joe Lombardi and Jim Bob Cooter were brought in to help mold the Lions gunslinger. And while his passing yards declined, his efficiency increased. Stafford made better decisions which led to more victories.

While is appeared like Stafford had only an average season, his most impressive stat was his turnovers. Only 12 interceptions on the season, illustrated his new consciousness on how to manage the offense.

These changes would lead to the Lions returning to the playoffs and a Pro Bowl nomination. He would go on to become the Pro Bowl MVP after an impressive All-star performance.

Stafford also made the NFL network Top 100 players in the NFL list. It was his second time on the list. Check out the video highlighting his acknowledgement:

2015

16 games, 7-9 record, 4,262 passing yards, 32 TD, 13 INT, 159 rush yards, 1 TD

While Lombardi’s offense helped Stafford efficiency in 2014, it had the opposite effect in 2015. Stafford never seemed comfortable with the play calling and was noticeably frustrated with Lombardi on several occasions. After seven games, Lions owner Martha Ford had seen enough, and fired Lombardi as well as several other offensive coaches.

Replacing Lombardi was the quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter. In week eight the Lions traveled to London and in order to alleviate pressure on Stafford Cooter simplified Lombardi’s playbook, it’s wasn’t effective. So after a week nine bye, Cooter changed the offense even more drastically, focusing on plays that utilized Stafford’s strengths.

It worked.

Stafford looked like a new player. Confident and empowered in Cooter’s offense, Stafford would go on to tear opponents apart. The Philadelphia Eagles stood no chance against him on Thanksgiving, where he scored five touchdowns with ease. His 88% completion rate in Saints game is franchise record. Stafford would finish the season as the only quarterback in NFL history to have a completion percentage of 60% or more in every game.

I broke-down the difference in Stafford’s statistical efficiency while under his two offensive coordinators last August. If you’re interested in a more dynamic look at his numbers, you can read it: Here.

Another Sandman compilation of season highlights:

2016

7 games, 4-3 record, 1,914 passing yards, 15 TD, 4 INT, 126 rush yards

We’re only seven game into the season and Stafford has already garnered national attention. With four victories all orchestrated by a Stafford comeback, it’s rightfully earned. Fox Sports senior NFL writer Peter Schrager, said on NFL Networks Good Morning Football, that he thought Stafford was one of, if not the, best quarterback in the league.

When the Lions faced off with the Washington Redskins, Stafford proved Schrager right again. His victory last Sunday was his 24th career fourth quarter comeback.

After that victory. Schrager doubled down on his praise of Stafford, while the rest of the GMFB hosts got on board. Nate Burelson, a long-time Stafford supporter, could’ve just sat there sipping his tea like Kermit the Frog, but he decided to remind people this has been building for a long time. Check out the clip:

So here we are, half way into his eighth year of Matthew Stafford’s career and he hold a ridiculous amount of passing records. Including a big one that several analysts use to judge quarterbacks: passing yards through the first 100 games.

Stafford’s record: 27,890 passing yards over 100 games.

That record may not stand forever. But it’s his now. Enjoy him Lions fans. He’s the best this franchise has ever seen, and if we’re lucky we’ll get to see him for another decade.

Next: Stafford wins the Game Ball in his 100th game

Did you enjoy this? Did I leave out your favorite play? Want to share your own Stafford story? Tell me about it in the comments section below or you can find me on twitter @erikschlitt.