Week 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Before leaving with an injured throwing hand last Sunday in the loss at Baltimore, Matthew Stafford threw for 292 yards and 1 TD. Detroit was behind for most of the game against a good defense, but the Lions were able to move the ball during soft coverage. While he hasn’t thrown for 300 yards during the past four outings, he has tossed at least one score in five straight games. With his team still in the playoff hunt, Stafford should be able to go this week at Tampa, facing the league’s second-worst pass defense. The Detroit signal-caller makes for a QB1 play.
Week 13 at Baltimore Ravens
In the Thanksgiving loss to the Vikings, Matthew Stafford suffered an ankle injury and came short of leading his team back. Against a good Minnesota defense, he threw for 250 yards and 2 TDs (both to Marvin Jones). He has passed for at least two scores the past four weeks and has 21 touchdown tosses versus 6 interceptions on the season. Stafford should be fine to play on Sunday, especially with a couple of extra days to get ready. However, he has another tough matchup against the league’s No. 2 pass defense. Once again, don’t expect a huge game from the Detroit QB.
Week 12 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Matthew Stafford continues to have a solid season. Last week in the comeback win over the Bears, he threw for 299 yards and 2 scores. He’s thrown 7 TDs the past three contests and 19 on the season, versus just 5 interceptions. In Week 4 at Minnesota, the Detroit QB threw for just 209 yards with no TDs facing a good Vikings defense ranked No. 11 against the pass. You have to keep on starting Stafford, but points may be at a premium in the rematch.
Week 11 at Chicago Bears
After a bit of a slow start versus the Browns last week, Matthew Stafford got things going and finished with 249 passing yards and 3 TD tosses on just 26 attempts. He continues to be a great fantasy QB, throwing for 10 touchdowns in the past five contests. The Bears defense is No. 10 against the pass, but there’s no way you can sit Stafford, even on the road and in cold weather.
Week 10 vs. Cleveland Browns
In the win over the Packers last Monday night, Matthew Stafford continued his hot hand. He finished with 361 yards through the air and threw for 2 TDs—the third time in the past four contests he’s thrown for at least two scores. In the past three games, Stafford has passed for nearly 1,100 yards. Back at home on Sunday, he’ll face a Browns defense allowing nearly 230 passing yards per game. There is no question Stafford will be your QB this week.
Week 9 at Green Bay Packers
Facing the league’s top pass defense in the Steelers last Sunday night, Matthew Stafford was not phased in the least. He threw for 423 yards, but the Lions were kept out of the end zone, despite three separate first-and-goal scoring opportunities. Even without the TDs, it was a good night for Stafford owners. This week he’ll be on the road against a Packers defense that had a week off and is ranked 16th versus the pass. Detroit seems to struggle at Green Bay, but consider Stafford a QB1 play.
Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Coming into the game pretty beat up, Matthew Stafford made it through the contest two weeks ago in New Orleans, but he took another pounding. The Lions QB was sacked 5 times, lost 2 fumbles and tossed 3 interceptions. Along the way, he also threw for 312 yards and 3 TDs, completing 25-of-52 passes. In the shootout, he registered his first 300-yard game of the season. Back at Ford Field after a much needed week off, Stafford will face a Pittsburgh defense ranked No. 1 against the pass. He is a low-end QB1 play this week.
Week 6 at New Orleans Saints
In the home loss to the Panthers last Sunday, Matthew Stafford took a beating. He was taped just above the knee initially due to a hamstring injury, then took another hit and received tape around his ankle and foot. The Lions QB played through the injuries and ended up throwing two fourth-quarter touchdowns to TE Darren Fells. Stafford finished the game with 229 passing yards, but was sacked 6 times. Despite playing on the road this week, things shouldn’t be as rough, as the Saints are allowing 265 yards through the air. Stafford's status is uncertain, but if he's healthy enough to go, he remains a QB1 play.
Week 5 vs. Carolina Panthers
In the hard-fought victory at Minnesota last week, Matthew Stafford was limited to 209 yards through the air and was sacked 6 times. It was the first time this season he did not throw a TD, but he’s gone three straight without being intercepted. The Panthers defense is allowing just 195 passing yards per game, so Stafford could have another below average performance on Sunday. He should be used as nothing more than a low-end QB1 option.
Week 4 at Minnesota Vikings
In reality, Matthew Stafford threw only one touchdown last Sunday against the Falcons, but came a half-yard short of tossing what would’ve been his second score of the game, as well as the game-winner. Golden Tate was ruled short of the goal line in what turned out to the be the final play, upsetting both Lions fans and Stafford fantasy owners. In the loss, the Lions signal-caller threw for 264 yards and ran for 19 additional yards. He’s already thrown for 7 scores this year, but will be facing a solid defense on the road this week. While Minnesota is near the bottom of the league in pass defense, much of the yardage allowed has come with the Vikings well ahead. Stafford should be considered a low-end QB1 option this week.
