Is it time that Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford gets the due he deserves?
For years, even after putting up huge numbers, nothing Stafford ever did was good enough. It was theorized that he was a product of Calvin Johnson, benefitting from the greatness of his receiver rather than getting credit for being a good quarterback.
That was absurd, but now he's showing how absurd it was.
In the final minute against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, Stafford drove the Lions 75 yards, completing 3 of 6 passes for 61 of those yards, in the final minute to give the Lions a 20-17 victory. That victory has the Lions at 4-3 and clearly in the playoff picture -- just 1½ games out of first place in the NFC North.
Stafford has had his fair share of critics in his career, those saying he is little more than a stat quarterback who can't win big games. Yes, he's rolled up some big numbers, but he's been a steady, good player on some teams that weren't that talented.
Heading into this season, Stafford averaged 28.8 touchdowns and 4,635 yards the past five seasons. That's impressive.
Of course the doubters said it was all because of Johnson. Stafford played his 100th game Sunday, and has more passing yards in his first 100 games than any passer in league history.
Stafford is having an impressive season, throwing 15 touchdown passes and four interceptions. The Lions don't have much of a running game either, which means most of it is on him. Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter has cut down on his passing this season, with Stafford on pace to throw 550 passes, which would be the lowest total since he took over as the starter. But his completion percentage is 68, which would be a career high.
A gunslinger with a big arm, Stafford has taken his fair share of chances that have backfired. That's why he's averaged 15.4 interceptions in the past five seasons. But even that number is down.
When the Redskins went up 17-13 on a 19-yard run by Kirk Cousins with 1:07 left, it looked grim for the Lions. Then Stafford went to work.
First he hit Marvin Jones for 23 yards. Then he scrambled for 14, followed by a 20-yard shot to Andre Roberts to the Washington 18. After two incomplete passes, he hit Anquan Boldin with a dart for the winning touchdown.
Stafford's contract is up after the 2017 season. It isn't often that franchise passers go into the final year of their deal without a new one. So that made this season important from a contract standpoint for Stafford. So far he's putting the Lions in a corner. He's playing well, and he's winning.
There is a chance that Stafford could end up being the highest-paid player in the league if he does get a new long-term deal. That's just the nature of the beast when a franchise passer is up. It's his time to take that spot.
Is Stafford the best player in the league? No. Is he the best quarterback? No. But he is worth giving a long-term deal to keep him around for the Lions. He's still only 28 years old, which means there's a lot of good football left in that right arm.
Stafford is a franchise passer. The final minutes of Sunday's game was proof of that again -- even with Calvin Johnson enjoying his retirement.
More musings from around the NFL:
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins, with two impressive home victories in successive weeks over Pittsburgh and Buffalo, can now be considered in the wild-card chase. And a big part of the success goes to the running game, and not just running back Jay Ajayi. Yes, Ajyi has run for over 200 yards in successive weeks, cementing himself as the lead back, but it's the play of the line up front that has keyed it.
Injuries impacted the line early in the season, but now they have the pieces back in place and the holes are opening.
Ajayi ran for 213 yards to lead the Dolphins to a 28-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but the holes were plentiful as the line did its job. It is a group filled with first-round picks, so this is what Miami expected to get.
Now as they ready for a five-game stretch against teams without a winning record after their bye this week, that running game could get them into the playoff race as we head to December. Who would have thought that three weeks ago when they lost at home to Tennessee in ugly fashion?
Give credit to coach Adam Gase for turning this thing around. It could have gone off the rails.
This is the same Ajayi who was left home on the trip to Seattle opening week because he didn't win the starting job and responded poorly. Maybe Ajayi knew more than the coaching staff. He should have been playing based on what's happening now.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings offensive line woes could be their undoing this season. They can't run it and they didn't protect Sam Bradford on Sunday. That, plus poor special teams, cost them a game against the Eagles, their first loss of the season.
The Vikings have a great defense. There is no mistaking that. But the defense can't bail them out all the time. The margin for error is so small when you lean on a defense, and that didn't work out against the Eagles because of mistakes.
The Vikings used a tackle rotation of T.J. Clemmings, Jeremiah Sirles and newly signed Jake Long, a player they picked up last week and a veteran who hasn't started a game since 2014. It didn't matter who played. They were a problem and Sam Bradford was sacked six times and lost a fumble.
Coach Mike Zimmer called the line out after the game, using the word "soft." That's not something you want your coach saying after a game. The line has to pick it up soon.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have major issues. The quarterback isn't playing well -- and that's being kind -- and the team looks in disarray, which isn't a good thing for embattled coach Gus Bradley.
The Jaguars lost at home to the Raiders on Sunday, and it wasn't close. Oakland dominated the game, winning 33-16. The Jacksonville offense is bad right now, and it's mainly because of quarterback Blake Bortles. He has regressed in a big way.
He isn't good right now -- and there have to be questions about whether he's the long-term answer. After an impressive 2015 season, his first full one as a starter, Bortles has looked lost for most of this season. His confidence level is awful right now. He threw a terrible end-zone pick early against Oakland that set the tone for the game.
As for Bradley, his team looked out of control during the game. Veteran Malik Jackson was thrown out after two unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties. On the sidelines, Bradley looked to be babying the player rather than telling him to get the hell off the field. That's a bad look.
Later, Jalen Ramsey was tossed for fighting -- and looked frustrated as he left the game.
The Jaguars had 13 penalties for 112 yards and fumbled a punt inside the 10 and Bortles threw two picks. You won't win many games like that. This is a team with talent that isn't coming close to playing to it.
They have a game Thursday at Tennessee, and if they don't win that, maybe change will be coming. I don't think it will be Bradley, but others -- maybe offensive coordinator Greg Olsen -- could be in trouble.
Oakland Raiders
The Bortles-Derek Carr debate? It's over for now. There is no doubt Carr is the better quarterback. He has a much better understanding of the passing game, including reads and feel in the pocket.
San Diego Chargers
The Chargers have won two consecutive games to get to 3-4, but that record could easily be a lot better. They are the best team with a losing record in the NFL right now and are improving across the board.
The Chargers beat the Atlanta Falcons 33-30 in overtime for their first road victory of the season. They did so behind the right arm of Philip Rivers and the running of Melvin Gordon, who scored three touchdowns.
But the young defense grew up in the second half as the Chargers rallied from 17 down. Rookie Joey Bosa had two sacks, second-year inside linebacker Denzel Perryman had a big pick to set up the tying field goal and they had a fourth-and-1 in overtime to help get the victory.
The Chargers beat Denver last week, and now must go face the Broncos this week in Denver. If that young defense continues to grow up, the Chargers might end up being the best team in the AFC West.
Atlanta Falcons
I didn't like the decision by Falcons coach Dan Quinn to go for a fourth-and-1 from his own 45 in overtime. The Chargers stuffed the run by Devonta Freeman, which set up the game-winning field goal by the Chargers.
Punt the ball deep and play defense. Yes, the defense had struggled in the second half, but I would have taken my chances. It was a bad decision. Even if they get it, the Falcons still need 25 yards to get into field-goal range and even if they make that the Chargers get a shot to have the ball. Bad move. Too many coaches think about sending a message by going for it. That's misguided thinking.
Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck was without three of his top receivers. His defense blew an 11-point lead he had helped build. The Colts were staring big problems in the AFC South in the face as they trailed the Tennessee Titans late.
All Luck did was drive the Colts 70 yards to a game-winning touchdown, the score coming on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Luck to Jack Doyle. They got a touchdown from Robert Mathis on fumble recovery to lock up the victory.
Luck finished with 353 yards and three touchdowns, and did a nice job driving the ball down the field with some big-time throws.
For all the crap that Luck takes from critics, there is no denying he is a special quarterback, which he showed up Sunday against the Titans.
And finally ...
I actually enjoyed the 6-6 tie between Arizona and Seattle on Sunday night. I love offense, but that was an impressive defensive showing by both teams. One thing's definite after watching that game: offensive line play in the NFL stinks. And it's getting worse. Seattle's line is putrid and Arizona's line had trouble with the Seattle front. That really helps the defense. And do get me going on kickers. Their only job is to make a field goal and both missed from point-blank range with a chance to win it. Gross.
