Around the NFL Week 12

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I know you're a stats guy... but is YPA really that telling? I mean, Stafford is 23 years old, has finally been able to start every game so far in a season (despite a broken finger on his throwing hand right now), and he's top 5 in passing yards, has a rating over 90, and 26 TDs with 5 games left to play. He's not Tom Brady yet, but given his age and the numbers he's putting up.... 5 years from now he'll be in his prime if he stays healthy. Extrapolate those numbers, and the sky is the limit for him.

Matt Stafford is way better than Jason Campbell will ever be, YPA be damned.

I think your expectations for Matt Stafford are way too high. Beyond passing numbers, he has 10 wins in 3 seasons, and plays now on a team with a top defense.

I think he's going to need to play much better to get the Lions over the hump into the playoffs. I think he's capable enough -- and at this point, the Redskins would take anyone capable, but I think the history of Matt Stafford would suggest he's going to struggle to win enough games down the stretch to get the Lions into the playoffs.

Stafford is still incredibly young, but I don't think he's progressed to the point where he will be an elite quarterback soon. Down the road? Sure. I wouldn't bet against him or the Lions. I just don't know if I'd bet on him either. Stafford's completion percentage has actually gone up since the finger injury, which is both a good sign for the Lions, and a reason to believe that his wildness has nothing to do with injury: that's just how Matt Stafford has been since college.