Detroit Lions: Life without Matthew Stafford is very unfavorable

Life without Matt Stafford is bleak, bitter, and very unfavorable for the Detroit Lions.

Even with Matthew Stafford, the results are few and far between for the Detroit Lions.  When you take away the teams’ top player winning becomes nearly impossible to achieve.  The teams’ defense is limping their way through the season, forcing the offense to come away with points on almost each of their offensive possessions.

Last week the Lions decided to sit Stafford due to a few broken bones in his back.  It’s an injury lingering from last season.  With the Detroit Lions out of the divisional race and playoff race, in general, it’s for the better to sit Stafford until he’s once again totally healthy.

In the meantime, it’s Jeff Driskel‘s offense.  Yes, Jeff Driskel.  This past summer, the Detroit Lions rolled a host of names through Allen Park in hopes of landing a capable backup.  Tom Savage was expected to be that veteran backup who could come in and win a game if needed.

More from Detroit Lions

• Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
• Signing This Former Pro-Bowl CB Would Be Huge Mistake for Lions
• Forecasting the Rest of This Lions Season (Score Predictions)
• Lions Get Exciting Injury Update on Rookie QB Hendon Hooker
• Betting Preview: Best Bets for Lions vs. Packers Thanksgiving Day Game

A string of reoccurring concussions has his football career in serious jeopardy.  Veteran journeyman Josh Johnson inevitably beat out Savage throughout the preseason to be Matt’s primary backup.

Johnson has since been released.  I still wonder if he’d be a better option than Driskel?  He’d certainly be better than David Blough, who is currently backing up Driskel. As you continue to sift through the names, I continuously come to one conclusion.  The Detroit Lions should have signed Colin Kaepernick this past offseason.  You can’t tell me he wouldn’t be a better option than who the Lions are fielding today.  Plus, he’d likely lead the team in rushing.

It’s a shame the Lions were forced to shut Stafford down.  He was having the most efficient season of his career.  His quarterback rating on the season sits at a whopping 106%, by far the best of his career.  His completion percentage is above his career average.  His average completed pass is 13.4 yards, a career-high.  It’s amazing what a good offensive coordinator can do for an outstanding quarterback. Through 8 games this season, Stafford has thrown for 2499 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions.

Darrell Bevell has been great for the Detroit Lions besides a few critical play calls, mainly the Logan Thomas target, to end the game in Oakland.  Bevell is a massive upgrade to Jim Bob Cooter, but without Stafford, he has his work cut out for him.

Usually, losing your franchise quarterback means a heavy dose of running the football.  Something the Detroit Lions haven’t been able to do with Stafford in the game, so good luck doing it against a stacked box.

It’s tough to watch.  The Dallas Cowboys roll into Detroit today; the Stafford-less Lions will be blown out.  I hate to say it, but I can’t come on here and give you a few reasons why the Lions will win the game.  They won’t.

It’s a defense that couldn’t stop Mitchell Trubisky a week ago.  How do you think they will do against Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Dak Prescott?  Exactly.  Even with Stafford at the helm, Detroit would be a long shot to win, without it’s merely impossible.

Life without Matthew Stafford is bleak, bitter, and very unfavorable.