NFC North Quarterback power rankings: Detroit Lions near the top

Matthew Stafford

I really do wish that I could justify giving Matthew Stafford the top spot on this list. He took over the worst team in the history of football and broke himself twice before he righted the ship. He has also been a victim of poor management and coaching for most of his career. Outside of Calvin Johnson, he hadn’t had a 1000 yard receiver until 2013. He has not had a 100-yard rushing performance by a running back for support since 2013. He has had only a single 1000 yard rusher in his supporting cast during his nine-year career. Despite all of that Stafford is the franchise record holder in every major passing category.

When Stafford lost the greatest receiver in franchise history, likely top five all-time for as long as he played, to retirement, he responded by taking his game to another level. He put the team on his back and dragged it kicking and screaming to two consecutive 9-7 seasons. People who say Matthew Stafford can’t win games have not been paying attention to recent history.

An early knock on Stafford was that he did not elevate the play of those around him. Both Marvin Jones and Golden Tate went from middle tier starting wide receivers to legitimate top-tier producers immediately upon joining Stafford and the Lions. Both men have outplayed the best contracts they could find on the open free agent market. That is not usually how NFL free agency works. A team like the Lions has not historically found a hometown discount on the market. Matthew Stafford has made them both bargains.

The yardage, the comebacks, the touchdown to interception ratio and the fact he is coming off a good season get Matthew Stafford to the number two spot.