Tag: brett favre

Lions Stafford to make trip; Bevell not counting him out vs. Titans

Matthew Stafford, who has not practiced all week due to injured ribs, will make the trip to Tennessee for Sunday’s game against the Titans.

It’s still uncertain whether the quarterback will start. It could come down to a workout on Sunday morning. Or not.

“He’s breathing really well, he’s better, he’s moving better. He’s feeling better how far that’s going to be we’ll see. You can’t really judge this because the guy is tough as nails,’’ interim coach Darrell Bevell said on Friday.

“I’ve had it before. (Brett) Favre was out 10 straight weeks, he was going to be out again, he walks in the day of the game and said, ‘I’m going.’ Guys like that, you give it to them and they go. So I feel like he’s in that same category (as Favre). He could walk in on Sunday and say, ‘I don’t care what anyone is saying, I’m going.’ So I’m going to let him go,’’ Bevell added.

Stafford injured his ribs — X-rays were negative — late in the loss to Green Bay.

“Sunday I didn’t feel good, I just wasn’t able to function. That was the biggest thing, I was spasming and locking up a little bit and I wasn’t able to throw, that’s basically what it boils down to,’’ Stafford said on Wednesday. “When I wasn’t able to do that, I felt like our best chance was to let Chase (Daniel) go out there and operate. I obviously don’t ever like coming off the field but I didn’t feel like I could help us any more.’’

Daniel finished the game and is preparing — like always — to start this week.

“Knowing (Stafford) he tries to play, there’s no doubt about it,’’ Daniel said. “The dude is one of the toughest dudes I’ve ever been around regardless of position.’’

For Stafford it seems rest, ice and heat is the best medicine this week. Not much else to do with ribs. 

“I think it kind of boils down to being able to operate, go out there to throw it around, be able to feel good enough to know or at least give myself a good chance of finishing the game,’ Stafford said. “Don’t want it to be one of those things where you go out there and do something weird early and you’re out after the first series of the game. Not to say, you can take a big hit and who knows what could happen.’’

He said he wants to feel good enough to start the game and finish it at a high level.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford among the best halfway through the season

Unlike the Lions, Matthew Stafford is having quite a season.

The Lions quarterback has thrived in the new offense created by coordinator Darrell Bevell. Of course, he’s got a tandem of wide receivers in Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golladay who have combined for 13 touchdown catches. And newcomer Danny Amendola has stepped in and been a good fit, averaging 12.1 yards per catch.

Stafford’s numbers are starting to draw attention across the league even as the Lions have faded, losing four of their last five.

He leads the NFL in passing yards per game (312.4) and yards per pass (8.6). Stafford’s 19 touchdowns are second only to Russell Wilson (22) who has played one more game. He’s fourth (2,499) in total passing yards. He has the most completions of 20-plus yards wit 41 and is the NFL leader with at least 3 touchdown passes in 5 games.

Whenever he’s asked about his game day accomplishments, the always humble Stafford says he would trade them in for a win. 

Next test for the Lions (3-4-1) is Sunday at the Chicago Bears (3-5). 

“I’ve always had the ultimate respect for Matt Stafford. Some of the throws that he’s made over his career are just ridiculous. I mean there are not many players in the NFL that can make the side-arm throws that he does on the run, running left throwing right, just putting it where no one else can get it,’’ Bears coach Matt Nagy said in a conference call this week. 

“He’s tough, he’s a competitor, and when he’s back there at the quarterback position, he’s scary because he can make any throw and you always have a chance with him,’’ Nagy added.

The Bears’ defense is its strength this season just like the Lions’ offense which has carried the team this season (although not quite enough).

Historically, Stafford has played well against Chicago.

He ranks fifth in career passing touchdowns against the Bears with 28 TDs in 18 games. He’s in good company in this category behind three Hall of Famers, and one future HOFer. First is Brett Favre with 60 in 36 games, second is Aaron Rodgers with 46 in 22 games, third is Fran Tarkenton with 40 in 28 games, fourth is Johnny Unitas with 33 in 23 games. Also, Stafford is fourth in most passing yards (4,741 in 18 games) behind Favre Tarkenton, and Rodgers.

Last season, he threw 21 touchdown passes in 16 games and now he stands at 19 at the halfway point. The difference? 

“I think we’ve done a nice job in the play-action game, making some big plays – those guys are making great plays down the field,’’ Stafford said. “The guys up front are giving me time to get it down there. I think we’ve done a nice job on third down staying on the field, which helps. We’re getting more plays and those guys on the outside are making great plays.”

Stafford’s no-look throws have been studied, tweeted and retweeted. He has two in the loss at the Raiders. It’s not something he has worked on.

“No, that’s full feel. I’m not like working on that in the offseason or anything. It’s more just feeling it in the game, trying to see as much as I can possibly see, and then obviously trying to get to the ball to our guys with space and let them go work,’’ Stafford said.

In his 11th season, he has plenty of trust in himself to make the unorthodox throws. “I think it’s a lot of trust, obviously – trust in what I’m seeing, trust in what they’re going to do when I put it out there,’’ Stafford said. “Those guys are doing a great job of catching it and coming down with it. They always know to be on their toes and be ready for the ball.”

He’s nearly on pace for a second 5,000-yard season. His first was in 2011. He’s one of just five NFL quarterbacks who have passed for more than 5,000 yards. The list includes Drew Brees who has done it five times, along with Tom Brady, Dan Marino and Peyton Manning. Again, Stafford keeps good company.

Now if the Lions defense, which is ranked 31st in the NFL, would step up.

(Photo courtesy of Detroit Lions)