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Detroit Lions: 2016 Season a Mix of Good and Bad

By Patrick Rocca

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; A general view of Ford Field during the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. Detroit won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; A general view of Ford Field during the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. Detroit won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
NFL: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys /

Matthew Stafford’s Emergence

A good receiving corps can only be productive if their quarterback can get the ball to them. Matthew Stafford proved to all of his doubters this year that fewer players are better at that task than him. The 2014 Pro Bowler put everyone in the league on notice, throwing for 4,327 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a 65.3% completion rate.

Despite being left off the Pro Bowl roster this season, the Detroit Lions’ star quarterback spent the majority of the season in the MVP conversation. He led the Lions to an NFL record eight fourth quarter comebacks, and brought the team within one game of their first division title in 23 years.

Unfortunately, Stafford’s fantastic season was derailed by his finger injury late in the season. In the five games since his torn finger ligament, Stafford only managed to throw for 300 yards once, while putting up only three touchdowns compared to five interceptions.

However, the good news is that when healthy, Matthew Stafford is clearly a Franchise quarterback; something the Lions have not had since the great Bobby Layne. Stafford is reportedly expected to receive one of the most lucrative contracts in NFL history, and he is worth every penny.

He is the only franchise quarterback the Lions have had in the modern era, and the team absolutely cannot afford to let him walk.

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