NFL Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions Fans Too Quick To Criticize Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford evading pressure

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Some Detroit Lions fans are unhappy with Matthew Stafford‘s performance against the Arizona Cardinals, and some don’t believe that he has what it takes to be a winning franchise quarterback. Those fans are just plain wrong.

Stafford may not have had his best individual performance of the season during the Lions’ loss against the Cardinals, but that doesn’t mean he can’t win. That logic is silly, especially after Stafford had a lot to do with the Lions’ previous three comeback wins. Without Stafford, the Lions could easily sit at 4-6, or worse. They sit at 7-3 partly because of Stafford’s late-game heroics.

Stafford has not been flashy in 2014, but that is what is best for his team. In the past, Stafford was stockpiling stats through elevated attempts. The problem with that is that it made it tough for the Lions to hold leads late into the game. You have to be able to run the ball and stay committed to running the ball to win football games.

The Lions do not need Stafford throwing 50 pass attempts in a game to be successful. The Lions just need to do a lot better of helping Stafford be successful. A lot of things about the Lions could probably change for the better, but getting rid of Stafford would only hurt this team in the long run.

Stafford is definitely playing the type of football that can make his team be winners, but he does need a little help from his team. Blaming Stafford for a loss where miscues were the headline is just wrong. Have faith, Lions fans; Stafford can win games with this team. One loss to the best team in the NFL does not change that. Stafford may be an easy target for Lions fans, but that doesn’t justify trying to discredit the kid. He is clutch.

Travis Newville is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @travisto989, or Like him on Facebook here. Add him to your Google network.

Share Tweet