by Jeric Griffin
Featured Columnist
Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE / Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

The big names that jump off the page of the Detroit Lions’ offensive depth chart are quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson. Both of these players pose major threats to their opponents. They’re both big reasons why the Lions are 3-0 for the first time in over 30 years. Stafford and Johnson will face their toughest test together when they visit Cowboys Stadium at high noon on Sunday.

Through three games this season, Stafford has completed 79 of 118 passes for 977 yards, nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. A lot has been made of Stafford’s rapport with Johnson. In fact, several analysts have said that Stafford is overrated because six of his nine touchdown passes have gone to Johnson. Naturally, their accusations are ignorant.

Johnson has caught 16 of Stafford’s passes for 225 yards, including the six touchdowns. Stafford has targeted Johnson 28 times this season, so roughly 23 percent of his passes have gone to the monster receiver nicknamed “Megatron.” Once again, this is a deceiving statistic; there are running backs in the NFL who have been targeted and caught more passes than Johnson this year.

Johnson’s targets are actually pretty low compared to other top receivers in the league this year. The Houston Texans’ Matt Schaub has targeted teammate Andre Johnson on over a third of his pass attempts. Wes Welker of the New England Patriots and Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons also receive more than the lion’s share of their quarterbacks’ targets.

So to say Stafford is partial to Johnson is absurd. In fact, Stafford has completed passes to eleven different receivers this season. The only other team to complete at least one pass to more than eleven receivers is the Dallas Cowboys.

Now keep in mind the Cowboys have had a slew of injuries in the receiving corps, making it much more likely that 12 different players have caught a Tony Romo pass through three games.

The one thing Dallas has that helps it prepare for Stafford is defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Like his twin brother, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, Rob is great at slowing down the NFL’s top passers.

A perfect example is last season when Ryan was the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. In Week 7, the Browns’ defense intercepted New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees four times in a Cleveland victory. In their very next game, the Browns humbled New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in a consecutive Cleveland win.

Just so you know, I’m driving the Stafford bandwagon. I watched this kid in high school and college and he’s always been a playmaker. So I’ll go ahead and put him in the class with Brees and Brady (his passer rating is currently 110.7, just behind Brady and just ahead of Brees). You may not agree with me now, but you will. Trust me; Stafford is that good.

Therefore, it’s going to be very interesting to see how Ryan prepares the Cowboys defense for Stafford this Sunday. The one problem Stafford has is protection; he’s only been sacked five times this season, but he is constantly forced to get rid of the ball in less than the standard four seconds.

The Ryans have owned Brady over the years and other elite quarterbacks by disguising blitzes and then forcing them into quick, ill-advised passes. I’m not guaranteeing anything in this contest because Stafford could just as easily throw for 400 yards and four touchdowns as he could be intercepted three times and sacked four times. Stafford is going to come ready to play at a high level, so it all depends on Ryan.

Regardless of what kind of football fan you are, you’re going to love this Sunday’s contest. The Cowboys and Lions could light up the scoreboard at Cowboys Stadium like the Christmas tree in Time Square or the game could be a knock-down, grudge match. Once again, it all depends on Ryan.

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3 Rants to “Rob Ryan vs. Matthew Stafford: Showdown for the Ag...”

  1. Benjamin Hubbert says:

    Jeric-

    I’m sipping on the Stafford cool aid as well and actually have him in 3 out of 4 fantasy football leagues. If DeMarcus Ware can get consistent pressure in this game the Boys will have a shot, but that is it. Sean Lee is stepping up and their red zone D is getting better. Not having Miles Austin really weakens Garret’s play calling ability, so they need to hold an explosive Lion’s offense to below 24 points. The Cowboys O-line also better get it together, because Suh might be the best DT I have ever seen.

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  1. Rob Ryan vs. Matthew Stafford: Showdown for the Ages, NFL | BallHyped Sports Blogs says:

    [...] Home › NFL › Rob Ryan vs. Matthew Stafford: Showdown for the Ages [...]

  2. [...] his confident remarks, Ryan will have his hands full with Johnson and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. The last time Ryan faced Stafford, the then-rookie posted a then-rookie-record of 422 passing [...]

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