If you haven’t been keeping up, Matthew Stafford has made it to the NFC Championship.
Regrettably, Detroit Lions fans will have to face the disappointment of Stafford appearing in his inaugural championship game with the Los Angeles Rams.
Despite this, Michigan sports bettors continue to support the former Lions QB, while some individuals lack enthusiasm.
Is it advisable for Lions fans to support the Stafford bandwagon? Did Detroit make a mistake by letting him go?
Michigan bettors behind Matthew Stafford
It has become evident during the NFL Playoffs that Michigan sports bettors are firmly supporting Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.
BetMGM Sportsbook reports that in Michigan, Rams money line tickets and handle experienced a 10% increase compared to the national average during their game against Tampa Bay last weekend. Furthermore, when it comes to the Super Bowl market, 51% of tickets in Michigan are on the Rams, significantly surpassing the national average of just 33%.
Stafford is currently the seventh-most popular bet for Super Bowl MVP nationwide according to DraftKings Sportsbook. However, in Michigan, he holds the fourth spot in MVP wagers.
Should Lions fans be cheering on Stafford, considering that Michigan sports bettors are supporting him with their money?
Drew Ellis, the lead writer, firmly states that he does not agree. On the other hand, Paul Costanzo, the managing editor, is proudly wearing a Stafford jersey.
Drew Ellis: Matthew Stafford succeeding doesn’t help the Lions
In essence, the Lions suffer adverse consequences as a direct result of the Rams’ prosperity.
The 2022 NFL Draft’s first round pick of the Rams belongs to Detroit. The pick’s position is determined by the Rams’ performance in the league. Initially, it had the potential to be as high as No. 23, but now it can only reach a maximum of No. 29.
Although some may argue that this change isn’t significant, it still holds a negative impact. It can influence the Lions’ drafting prospects and hinder their ability to make trade deals.
Matthew Stafford’s victory does not yield any positive outcomes for the Detroit Lions.
Paul Costanzo: Stafford fandom is an emotional decision, not a logical one
Drew’s reliance on logic to present his arguments is regrettable for two reasons. Firstly, sports fandom is not rooted in logical reasoning. Secondly, it is highly unlikely for a rational individual to persistently support the Lions.
Throughout my nearly 40 years as a Lions fan, it is the emotional attachment that has compelled me to endure countless Sundays filled with suffering. Within this time frame, my celebrations have been limited to the tiniest of victories, as those are the sole ones accessible to me.
During this period, I have developed a strong emotional bond with a few players, including Stafford. Throughout his 12 years in Detroit, he wholeheartedly dedicated himself and delivered numerous enjoyable moments for a fanbase that rarely experiences them.
Therefore, in the later part of the first round, historical evidence suggests that the emotional connection holds more significance than the variance in draft value.
Drew: Stafford was never going to win in Detroit
Let’s set aside the blame game momentarily, as the truth remains that Matthew Stafford was destined for an unsuccessful journey in Detroit.
Although there may be numerous explanations, I am firmly convinced that this is an undeniable truth.
Throughout its history, the Detroit Lions franchise has been consistently disappointing. To turn things around, a truly remarkable individual is needed to rescue this team from its struggles. Unfortunately, Matthew Stafford did not possess the qualities necessary to fulfill this role.
Stafford possesses exceptional physical talents, particularly his elite arm. Nonetheless, I hold the perspective that he may not possess the capability to uplift a struggling franchise from the depths and guide it towards a Super Bowl victory.
I don’t mean to criticize, but I’m unfamiliar with that QB. However, if we consider the successes of Tom Brady with the New England Patriots, Brett Favre with the Green Bay Packers, or Drew Brees with the New Orleans Saints, they were able to transform struggling franchises and completely reshape their cultures.
Matthew Stafford lacks the mindset required for accomplishing this task, which cannot be achieved solely through talent.
With the right circumstances, Stafford is demonstrating the capability to secure a Super Bowl victory. The Rams were already a strong contender before his arrival, and this year they managed to acquire Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and receiver Odell Beckham Jr. without incurring significant costs.
The Lions do not have the luxury to do that.
Paul: Stafford proved Sunday he can put a team on his back
The conclusion of Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers brought me immense joy, as it seemed like a replay of Stafford’s Lions career, but on a grander scale.
In the second half against the Bucs, Stafford witnessed a complete collapse of everything around him. Shockingly, his teammates committed an astonishing four fumbles, causing a major setback. On the other side, Tom Brady began to dissect the exhausted defense and find ways to exploit their weaknesses. However, it was in this crucial moment that Stafford truly shined, delivering a performance that would define the pinnacle of his career.
While Stafford may not be considered an all-time great, he resides in a comfortable middle ground where he is capable of leading his team to success, albeit not to a championship. Unfortunately, there are numerous Detroit fans who perceive him to be situated in this category.
Stafford’s performance on Sunday showcased his ability to lead a team in crucial moments.
Drew: Don’t say Stafford didn’t have talent around him
The narrative that has proven to be highly exasperating this season is the belief that Stafford has never had a supporting cast.
Stafford was portrayed by the media as a helpless victim, as if he were forcibly trapped in Detroit.
From the moment he was drafted by the franchise, Matthew Stafford consistently ranked among the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks.
Furthermore, Stafford’s tenure in Detroit was characterized by the fact that he did not solely carry the team on his own.
Many times, it has been mentioned that the Lions lacked defensive support. Nevertheless, according to Pro Football Reference, in 2014, the Lions ranked third in the NFL for total defense, even leading in rushing defense. Their performance dropped in 2016, where they ranked 13th in total defense. However, in both 2013 and 2018, the Lions managed to secure a position in the top half of the league for total defense.
Stafford was fortunate enough to have Calvin Johnson as his teammate for seven seasons in the NFL. Johnson, who is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, played a crucial role in Stafford achieving his career-best passing yardage in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Despite Cooper Kupp’s impressive performance, it is worth noting that Johnson still holds the record for the most receiving yards in a single season, with an extraordinary 1,964 yards in 2012.
Stafford received significant support from the Lions through extensive investment in draft picks.
Since being drafted in 2009, Stafford has witnessed the Lions utilizing seven first-round picks solely on offensive positions. Among these picks were four offensive linemen and three tight ends.
In addition, a running back was selected in the first round, while three second-round picks were dedicated to the same position. Furthermore, a receiver was chosen in the second round during both the 2011 and 2012 drafts.
While it may be disappointing that the chosen players did not succeed, it is unfair to claim that the Lions did not make an effort to support him with a strong team.
Paul: You should have stopped at ‘three tight ends’
This Rams team is superior and more well-rounded than the Lions ever were.
Certainly, there were years when a mere break or two could have potentially resulted in a playoff spot or even the elusive triumph of a playoff victory.
Did Stafford have the opportunity to play alongside exceptionally skilled players? To some extent, yes. However, it is hard to argue that the Lions were ever legitimate Super Bowl contenders solely due to a different quarterback, without a hint of irony.
The Lions’ struggles cannot be solely attributed to Stafford; rather, it is the overall organization that has hindered their progress for the past fifty years.
Considering that we have all endured this difficult situation, including Stafford himself, I have decided to commemorate the achievements of someone who wholeheartedly dedicated themselves to the organization before departing amicably.
