Week 17 – Matthew Stafford vs. Green Bay Packers
In the win at Chicago last Sunday, Matthew Stafford didn’t do fantasy owners many favors, finishing 22-of-39 for 243 yards with two INTs and four sacks. He’s thrown for less than 250 yards six times this season, including the past two weeks. Despite his fourth straight 4,000 yard season, Matthew has thrown only 19 TD tosses and 12 picks. Way back in Week 3 against Green Bay, Stafford threw for 246 yards, but was intercepted twice. He makes for a low QB1 play in a game that could see a lot of points.
Week 16 – Matthew Stafford vs. Chicago Bears
Matthew Stafford led the Lions to another comeback victory last Sunday versus the Vikings but he finished with a season-low 153 passing yards and one TD. Two of three three times he’s thrown for less than 200 yards this season have come against Minnesota. In the past three weeks Matthew has tossed six scores without an INT. A few weeks ago on Thanksgiving, Stafford lit up the Bears for 390 yards and two TDs to Calvin Johnson. He has a great matchup again versus the weak Chicago defense and makes for a solid QB1 start.
Week 15 – Matthew Stafford vs. Minnesota Vikings
In the home win over the Bucs last Sunday, Matthew Stafford threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns. It was the second straight game for him over 300 yards and the fourth time he’s thrown for at least that many in ’14. In the past two contests, Matthew has thrown five TDs without an INT. In early October at Minnesota, he threw for just 185 yards in a low scoring affair. Look for Stafford and the Lions to keep things going at home on Sunday, so he makes for a mid-QB1 play.
Week 14 – Matthew Stafford vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On Thanksgiving against the Bears, Matthew Stafford threw for a season-high 390 yards with two TDs. He completed 34-of-45 passes, connecting with Calvin Johnson for the two scores. Stafford and the Lions offense has been more productive at home and should keep it going against a Bucs defense that is 21st against the pass. Look for a good outing from Stafford on Sunday.
Week 13 – Matthew Stafford vs. Chicago Bears
What is wrong with the Lions offense? Tough matchups with Arizona and New England can certainly take some of the blame, but even with Calvin Johnson back, the Lions have not scored a touchdown in two games. Last week in New England, Matthew Stafford was horrible, going 18-of-46 for 264 yards and an INT – the fifth straight game he’s thrown at least one pick. While he has only two 300-yard games this season, the Bears have had trouble stopping the pass. With the short week, Chicago may have a tough time preparing for the usual potent Detroit attack. Expect Stafford to have a bounce-back performance on Thanksgiving. He's a low-end QB1 option this week.
Week 12 – Matthew Stafford vs. New England Patriots
The clock struck midnight on Matthew Stafford and the comeback Lions last Sunday at Arizona. In the loss, the Detroit QB threw for only 183 yards and an INT. It was the first time since Week 3 against the Packers that he did not throw for at least one TD, as the Cardinals cornerbacks limited Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate to just 100 combined yards.
Bill Belichick and the Patriots defense has confused Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck in recent weeks, so expect them to try to do the same versus Stafford. With Megatron healthy, Matthew is usually a very good start, but don’t be surprised to see him struggle at Foxborough.
Week 11 – Matthew Stafford vs. Arizona Cardinals
For the third straight contest Matthew Stafford rallied the Lions to a win in the final two minutes. His 11 yard TD toss to Theo Riddick with 29 ticks on the clock beat the Dolphins last Sunday. In the victory, Matthew was 25-of-40 for 280 yards and two scores, including a bomb to Calvin Johnson. Both Megatron and Golden Tate finished with over 100 receiving yards, collecting 18 of Stafford’s 25 completions. The Cardinals defense has had all kinds of issues stopping the pass, so go ahead and keep playing the Lions QB.
Week 10 – Matthew Stafford vs. Miami Dolphins
Matthew Stafford and the cardiac Lions were at it again two weeks ago in the win over the Falcons in London. After falling behind 21-0 at halftime, Stafford rallied the team with two second half TD tosses. On the afternoon, he was 24-of-47 for 325 yards – his first 300-yard game since Week 1. Both Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush are back after the bye allowed for them to rest up, so for the first time in a long time, Matthew will have a full arsenal of weapons. Miami is allowing just 201 yards per game through the air and shutout the Chargers last week, but go ahead and start Stafford with the return of Megatron.
Week 8 – Matthew Stafford vs. Atlanta Falcons
After a fairly silent first three-and-a-half quarters last Sunday versus the Saints, Matthew Stafford threw two late TD tosses to rally the Lions to victory. The first one came on a 73 yard catch-and-run to Golden Tate, followed by a game-winning five yard strike to Corey Fuller. On the afternoon, Matthew was 27-40 for 299 yards and was picked off twice. Tate accounted for over half of his passing yards. On the season, Stafford is averaging 270 yards per game through the air, but has thrown just nine TDs in seven contests. He will likely be without Calvin Johnson once again in the affair with the Falcons in London, making him a low-end QB1, even facing an Atlanta team that if fourth worst against the pass.
Week 7 – Matthew Stafford vs. New Orleans Saints
With the Detroit defense dominating in Minnesota last week, Matthew Stafford was just 19-33 for 185 yards and one TD. Of course, he was without Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush, so Golden Tate and Theo Riddick became his favorite targets on the afternoon. In six games, Matthew has only seven touchdown tosses. Bush is expected back on Sunday versus New Orleans, but likely no Megatron. Look for Stafford to post modest numbers, even against a Saints defense that is 25th against the pass.
