Week 7 at Miami Dolphins
In the win over the Packers two weeks ago, Matthew Stafford threw only 26 passes as the Lions built a big halftime lead. He finished with two TDs and has thrown for 10 scores in the first five games. After putting the ball in the air 99 times the first two weeks, Stafford totaled 92 passes over the past three. On Sunday in Miami, he’ll be facing the No. 25 pass defense so be sure to insert Stafford back into your starting lineup.
Week 5 vs. Green Bay Packers
Last Sunday at Dallas, Matthew Stafford was again on target, completing 80 percent of his passes, for 307 yards and two TDs—both to Golden Tate. In the past three weeks, he has thrown seven touchdowns versus just one interception and averaged 300 yards through the air during the first month of the season. The Packers shut out the lowly Bills last week and are allowing just 218 passing yards per game. Stafford remains a low-end QB1 start.
Week 4 at Dallas Cowboys
In the win over the Patriots last Sunday night, Matthew Stafford completed 75 percent of his passes (27-of-36) for 262 yards and two TDs. While he threw his fifth interception of the season, which led to the Patriots' only touchdown, Stafford and the Lions offense controlled the ball for nearly 40 minutes. He has averaged nearly 300 yards through the air the first three contests but will have a tougher matchup at Dallas this week. Even without Sean Lee, the Cowboys are allowing just 182 passing yards per game. Stafford should again be considered a low-end QB1 play on the road.
Week 3 vs. New England Patriots
With his team behind for much of the contest last week against the 49ers, Matthew Stafford threw the ball 53 times. He completed 34 of those passes for 347 yards and three TDs. While he lost a fumble, it was a nice rebound from the poor performance he had in the season opener. Since the Lions have dug themselves into big holes the first two contests, Stafford has already attempted 99 passes. Detroit may be playing from behind yet again on Sunday night versus the Patriots, which could result in a good fantasy game from Stafford. He is a low-end QB1 play at home this week facing a defense that allowed over 370 passing yards and four TDs to Blake Bortles.
Week 2 at San Francisco 49ers
In the humiliating loss to the Jets last Monday night, Matthew Stafford was beaten up—literally and figuratively. After having his leg stepped on by one of his linemen, he then took a shot to the chest from the New York defense. Stafford came back in after both injuries and finished with 286 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. It may be a good week for Stafford and the offense to work on their signals as the Jets revealed they knew what plays were coming. At Minnesota last Sunday, the 49ers gave up 244 yards passing and two TD tosses to Kirk Cousins, so it’s expected Stafford will have a better game. He is a low-end QB1 starting option this week.
Week 1 vs. New York Jets
Coming off another great season, Matthew Stafford and the Lions open the season at home on Monday night against a Jets defense that ranked No. 21 versus the pass last year. Detroit returns nearly all of its receiving weapons from 2017, so expectations are high. While the team would like to establish a running game via LeGarrette Blount and Kerryon Johnson, the offense goes through Stafford. He is a top-five QB in Week 1 and should definitely be started.
Fantasy Upside
For the seventh straight season, Matthew Stafford not only didn’t miss a game, but he also threw for at least 4,200 yards. He remains the model of consistency, averaging 39 attempts per game and 28 TD tosses per season during the seven-year span. Even as the Lions tried to establish more of a balanced attack in 2017, Stafford still put the ball in the air 35 times for an average of 278 yards per contest. Only once last year did he pass for fewer than 200 yards.
Fantasy Downside
The running game continues to be non-productive for the Lions, which puts added pressure on Stafford. His 565 pass attempts last season were a career-low in seasons he played a full 16 games. He has thrown for more than 30 TDs just once in the past five years.
2018 Bottom Line
Stafford continues to be surrounded by weapons, including WRs Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, and Kenny Golladay, as well as RBs Theo Riddick and rookie Kerryon Johnson. Despite drafting Johnson in the second round and being focused on establishing a rushing attack, Detroit’s offense runs through Stafford’s arm. Since the Lions are rarely in the playoffs, their QB doesn’t get a lot of national attention, but he is one of the league’s best and you can pretty much count on him posting similar numbers to what he’s produced throughout his career.
Week 17 vs. Green Bay Packers
In the playoff-eliminating loss at Cincinnati last week, Matthew Stafford threw for 203 yards, with 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. While he has thrown for at least one score in eight consecutive contests, Stafford has been held to under 240 yards in two straight games. He torched the Packers secondary in early November, throwing for 361 yards and 2 TDs, and should be in line for another solid performance on Sunday in a meaningless game for both teams.
Week 16 at Cincinnati Bengals
In the Saturday win over the Bears, Matthew Stafford kept things going with another solid performance against a better-than-average defense. In the win, Stafford threw for 237 yards and 2 TDs. While he lost a fumble and the yardage was his lowest since Week 5, he remains a consistent play with multiple touchdown tosses in seven of the past 10 contests. This week at Cincinnati, he’ll be facing a beat up Bengals defense that didn’t show much life at Minnesota last Sunday. It’s obviously a critical time for your fantasy season and Stafford should remain your quarterback.
Week 15 vs. Chicago Bears
Playing with a sore throwing hand last week at Tampa, all Matthew Stafford did was throw for 381 yards—his second-highest total of the year—and 1 TD. He completed a season-high 36 passes on 44 attempts, the most times he’s put the ball in the air since the end of October. Stafford has thrown for at least one score in six straight. Chicago owns the ninth-best pass defense, allowing less than 220 yards per game through the air, but in November at Chicago, Stafford threw for just under 300 yards and 2 TDs. He should definitely be in your lineup this week.
