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It’s Time To Give Matthew Stafford Consideration for NFL MVP

By Erik Lambert

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) turns toward the running back during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. The Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) turns toward the running back during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. The Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) turns toward the running back during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. The Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) turns toward the running back during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. The Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Not a single credible person predicted the Detroit Lions would be where they are today, and it’s because of their quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The team is 7-4 and in command of the NFC North with the Packers and Vikings both reeling. Stafford is playing the best football of his career. Through 11 games he has completed 66.8% of his passes for 2,883 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. What makes this achievement all the more impressive is the fact he’s doing it without Calvin Johnson at wide receiver.

The six-time Pro Bowler retired this past off-season. Many experts felt his exit was going to prove catastrophic for Stafford who had showed signs of struggle whenever he didn’t play. It seems quite the opposite has happened. The 28-year old has learned to spread the football around to his other targets. Four Lions offensive players have at least 40 or more catches on the season.

Though Derek Carr, Matt Ryan and Tom Brady are getting all the hype some feel it’s time to given Stafford his due as an MVP candidate.

"“Matthew Stafford is the best quarterback in the NFL.It might take a while to get used to the thought of Stafford sitting atop the list of elite signal callers in the league, but it’s time to give the former No. 1 overall pick his due as the top playmaker at the position today. The Detroit Lions QB has been sensational in every way the past two years, and no other quarterback in the league can match his feats as a field general in this span.”"

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Stafford is already a celebrity in Detroit. He’s taken them to the playoffs more times and put up better numbers than any quarterback of the Super Bowl era. To think he hasn’t even turned 30 yet and is already in his eighth season is a scary thought. His best years may yet be ahead of him. Meanwhile the MVP discussion should be real. Carr and Ryan each have star receivers at their disposal. Brady will only play 12 full games this regular season. Stafford had longer odds to success than any of them and still might get his team into the playoffs.

Is that not what Most Valuable Player is all about?

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