QB Matthew Stafford - Detroit Lions
| 6-2, 225 | Born: 2-7-1988 | College: Georgia | Drafted: Round 1, pick 1 |
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News you need to know
From the upgrade/downgrade report (Tue Sep 19): Stafford actually played well against a tough Giants defense. He wasn't that helpful for fantasy because the Lions nursed a lead and didn't need him to throw a lot, but that should change next week against the Falcons.
Week 3: vs Atlanta Falcons
FBG says: Tough matchup. Despite passing, Matthew Stafford played very well last week despite passing for only 122 yards, the second-lowest passing yardage mark of his career. Stafford helped his team jump out to a lead in the first half before allowing his run game and excellent defense to put the game away in the second half, only attempting four passes after halftime. The run-heavy game script did not bode well in fantasy terms for the Lions receivers, as only tight end Eric Ebron had more than 40 receiving yards on the day. Ebron snagged one of Stafford's touchdowns, while Marvin Jones Jr accounted for the other as his lone, but very impressive, reception of an excellent back shoulder pass from Stafford. Golden Tate was very quietly hauled in all four of his targets, but for only 25 yards. After a big Week 1 debut, Kenny Golladay was a non-factor with only one catch for eight yards. The Falcons pass rush was strong last week against Aaron Rodgers, forcing Rodgers out of the pocket over and over again while sacking him three times for 35 negative yards. Unfortunately for Atlanta, Pro Bowl linebacker Vic Beasley left last week's game with a hamstring injury and did not return. He is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring tear, so this will be a huge help to a Lions offensive line that has historically struggled to keep Matt Stafford upright. The Falcons secondary has also played very well this season against opposing wide receivers as they kept the Packers, with both Brian Poole and Desmond Trufant leading putting in a couple of dominant performances. Trufant only allowed two catches for 26 yards while tacking on an interception and a fumble returned for a touchdown last week. Poole should be matched up on Golden Tate out of the slot for most of the day next week, so Tate will have a tough time there. Trufant plays most of his snaps on the left side of the field, which should mean he will mostly draw Marvin Jones Jr. The Falcons did allow the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends last season and have already allowed 13 receptions for 139 yards to tight ends this season--so Eric Ebron would be in play as an option here. The one spot that the Falcons continue to struggle with is defending the running back out of the backfield as evidenced in week one when Tarik Cohen had eight receptions and in week two where Ty Montgomery caught 6 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown which could setup well for Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick out of the backfield this week.
Recent Stats and Projections
| WEEK | OPP | oSNAP | CMP | ATT | YD | TD | INT | RSH | YD | TD | FumL | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vs ARI | 71 | 29 | 41 | 292 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 31 | |
| 2 | at NYG | 62 | 15 | 21 | 122 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 15.4 | |
| 3 | vs ATL | PROJ-Dodds | * | 24 | 38 | * | * | * | 2 | * | * | * | * |
| 3 | vs ATL | PROJ-Tremblay | * | 23 | 36 | * | * | * | 2 | * | * | * | * |
| 3 | vs ATL | PROJ-Bloom | * | 25 | 34 | * | * | * | 2 | * | * | * | * |
Recent Game Summaries
2017 Week 2 vs NYG (15 / 21 / 122 / 2 / 0 pass, 3 / 23 / 0 rush)
Matthew Stafford was in command of Detroit's offense in a game where Detroit had positive game script and ran the ball 32 times to only 21 throws. Stafford was efficient throwing two touchdown passes and completing 15 of his 21 attempts, despite only managed 122 yards on the game. Stafford's first touchdown was a go route to Marvin Jones against CB Eli Apple. Stafford read the single coverage on Jones, and threw the ball at the back of Apple's helmet. The throw allowed Jones to break back inside on the ball for the catch in the end zone. The throw showed great trust in Jones to make a play in coverage, and Jones rewarded Stafford on the catch. The second touchdown was in the red zone to Eric Ebron on a crossing route, where Stafford stepped away from pressure in the pocket to allow Ebron to break open on his route. Stafford hit Ebron with nice touch in the end zone for the touchdown. Stafford showed solid command of the game and on multiple occasions bought time with his feet on throws, while also picking up 23 yards on the ground on three carries, including a 13-yard run on 3rd and 9 to convert a first down. Stafford also showed great awareness, running a hurry up play when the Giants had 12 men on the field. Outside of the touchdown to Marvin Jones, there was little separation down the field, as the Giants spent most of the game with coverage deep while rushing only their down linemen. Stafford was sacked three times in the game, including one by Jason Pierre-Paul on a bull rush against RT Rick Wagner. Pierre-Paul stripped Stafford on the play as he attempted to throw, and the Giants recovered. Stafford appeared to be poked in the eye on the play, but returned the next series, without any apparent limitations.
2017 Week 1 vs ARI (29 / 41 / 292 / 4 / 1 pass, 2 / 14 / 0 rush)
Matthew Stafford was efficient completing 29 of his 41 passes. He targeted Golden Tate 12 times primarily in the short and intermediate area of the field. Stafford moved well in the pocket and avoided pressure to extend plays, including a scramble drill in the red zone to Marvin Jones Jr. for a touchdown. Stafford also threw a touchdown to Kenny Golladay for a corner route in the red zone that was well placed and capitalized on Golladay's size. Stafford was content early in the game to work the short and intermediate area of the field. Stafford showed comfort with Theo Riddick repeatedly on third downs and targeted him on an option route in the red zone that Riddick ran for a touchdown after the catch. Stafford's deep ball was rare, but he made it count. With Detroit up 21 to 17 with less than five minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Stafford hit WR Kenny Golladay on a go route for a touchdown. Arizona had packed the box with eight defenders, leaving Golladay with single coverage on the play. Stafford led Golladay a little too far, forcing Golladay to dive and catch the ball and then slide into the endzone. Stafford had an interception on his first throw of the game which Justin Bethel returned for a touchdown. The throw was to Tate on a shallow cross where Tate got bumped running through a zone. Stafford tried to anticipate his route and throw Tate open, but Tate did not make the spot because of the contact, and Bethel stepped in for an easy interception.
Latest News
Lions | Matthew Stafford tosses two TDs in win (Mon Sep 18, 11:47 PM) - Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford completed 15 of his 21 pass attempts for 122 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Week 2 game against the New York Giants on Monday, Sept. 18. link to story Lions | Matthew Stafford tosses four touchdowns (Sun Sep 10, 07:33 PM) - Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford completed 29 of his 41 pass attempts for 292 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in Week 1 against Arizona. Our View: Stafford was the best fantasy quarterback of the day, always calm and under control and relying on Golden Tate to move the chains. He's facing a tough Giants defense next week but has earned the start in fantasy leagues.link to story
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Schedule
| 3 | vs Atlanta Falcons |
| 4 | @ Minnesota Vikings |
| 5 | vs Carolina Panthers |
| 6 | @ New Orleans Saints |
| 7 | --- BYE WEEK --- |
| 8 | vs Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 9 | @ Green Bay Packers |
| 10 | vs Cleveland Browns |
| 11 | @ Chicago Bears |
| 12 | vs Minnesota Vikings |
| 13 | @ Baltimore Ravens |
| 14 | @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 15 | vs Chicago Bears |
| 16 | @ Cincinnati Bengals |
| 17 | vs Green Bay Packers |
