Last night I looked up Matthew Stafford's game log spanning 185 career starts. Last week marked his first zero-TD performance since 2020. The last time he had back-to-back zero-TD games was in 2016.
In that second game in 2016, his Lions lost to Dak Prescott's Cowboys. Stafford peppered his tight end, Eric Ebron with 14 targets, culminating in an 8-93 receiving line. His three primary wideouts--Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, and Anquan Boldin--combined for a 12-107 line on 20 targets.
Last night, Tyler Higbee finished with a 10-73 line on 14 targets. Cooper Kupp had 14-122 on 19 targets. Six years ago, Stafford threw for 260 yards and a pick on 46 attempts. Last night, it was 254 yards and a pick on 48 attempts.
On the one hand, these are a lot of coincidences. Not much to take stock in. Sometimes numbers fit together nicely. On the other hand, the symmetry makes sense. Because in 2016, those back-to-back donuts happened on the road against the Giants, and then in Dallas. The Giants finished the season with the second-best defense (points against). The Cowboys were #5. The Giants moved to 10-4 after being Stafford. The Cowboys moved to 13-2.
So Stafford could be excused for falling flat in a unique pair of adverse conditions.
But last night's loss to San Francisco--the second of two straight zero-TD outings for Stafford--seemed different. He's now on pace to take 68 sacks, which would obliterate his personal high of 47. He's also on pace for a career-high 26 interceptions and his lowest yards-per-pass-attempt since his 2009 rookie campaign.
If he's on your fantasy team, can you trust him to bounce back? Sure, against Carolina in Week 6, and probably in his rematch with Arizona in Week 10. The Seahawks and Raiders at home in early December look good.
But Stafford will get a lot more games against tough defenses, including the Cowboys, Bucs, Saints, and Niners again. In the fantasy playoffs he'll face the Packers and Chargers on the road, and also the Broncos at home. Maybe he'll be a top-16 QB in two of those weeks. Maybe not.
In a game where Ben Skowronek outperformed Allen Robinson for the third time in four games, it's probably time to be concerned. Yeah, Van Jefferson's eventual return will help. But these Rams need more than Jefferson. They're getting everything they can from Kupp and Higbee. And if Stafford, his offensive line, his running game, and his defense aren't what they were last year, it's hard to envision him as a top-16 QB the rest of the way.
And now, the winner of the closest-score competition. First, congrats to almost-winners Tim Brower (28-14), Joe Ferraro (27-13), and Chris Hupe (27-13). But no one rose to the challenge like Andrew French, who predicted a 27-10 Niners victory. Andrew I believe this is your first win ever (not in life, but in this thing). Congratulations on joining some elite company. And some riff-raff.
In that second game in 2016, his Lions lost to Dak Prescott's Cowboys. Stafford peppered his tight end, Eric Ebron with 14 targets, culminating in an 8-93 receiving line. His three primary wideouts--Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, and Anquan Boldin--combined for a 12-107 line on 20 targets.
Last night, Tyler Higbee finished with a 10-73 line on 14 targets. Cooper Kupp had 14-122 on 19 targets. Six years ago, Stafford threw for 260 yards and a pick on 46 attempts. Last night, it was 254 yards and a pick on 48 attempts.
On the one hand, these are a lot of coincidences. Not much to take stock in. Sometimes numbers fit together nicely. On the other hand, the symmetry makes sense. Because in 2016, those back-to-back donuts happened on the road against the Giants, and then in Dallas. The Giants finished the season with the second-best defense (points against). The Cowboys were #5. The Giants moved to 10-4 after being Stafford. The Cowboys moved to 13-2.
So Stafford could be excused for falling flat in a unique pair of adverse conditions.
But last night's loss to San Francisco--the second of two straight zero-TD outings for Stafford--seemed different. He's now on pace to take 68 sacks, which would obliterate his personal high of 47. He's also on pace for a career-high 26 interceptions and his lowest yards-per-pass-attempt since his 2009 rookie campaign.
If he's on your fantasy team, can you trust him to bounce back? Sure, against Carolina in Week 6, and probably in his rematch with Arizona in Week 10. The Seahawks and Raiders at home in early December look good.
But Stafford will get a lot more games against tough defenses, including the Cowboys, Bucs, Saints, and Niners again. In the fantasy playoffs he'll face the Packers and Chargers on the road, and also the Broncos at home. Maybe he'll be a top-16 QB in two of those weeks. Maybe not.
In a game where Ben Skowronek outperformed Allen Robinson for the third time in four games, it's probably time to be concerned. Yeah, Van Jefferson's eventual return will help. But these Rams need more than Jefferson. They're getting everything they can from Kupp and Higbee. And if Stafford, his offensive line, his running game, and his defense aren't what they were last year, it's hard to envision him as a top-16 QB the rest of the way.
And now, the winner of the closest-score competition. First, congrats to almost-winners Tim Brower (28-14), Joe Ferraro (27-13), and Chris Hupe (27-13). But no one rose to the challenge like Andrew French, who predicted a 27-10 Niners victory. Andrew I believe this is your first win ever (not in life, but in this thing). Congratulations on joining some elite company. And some riff-raff.