Matthew Stafford Goes Legend Against the Browns

On Sunday the 22nd of November, Matthew Stafford went legend. No, it wasn't a come from behind victory to win the NFC Championship, but in Detroit a win is as good as it gets. Stafford finished the game with 422 yards passing and became the youngest player ever to throw 5 touchdown passes in a single game. The previous holders of that record were Joe Namath and Dan Marino. His 112.7 passer rating from Sundays game boosted his season rating to a lowly 66.9.

Even more impressive than Stafford's actual performance was his toughness. He clearly displayed the toughness of a Detroit resident with his urge to get back on the field for the final play with no time left on the clock. Never have I seen a young quarterback want to be in the spotlight when it meant the most as much as Stafford. How many past Lions QB's would not have rushed back into the game after incurring a separated shoulder?

Stafford has received an undeserved amount of jeers from Detroit Lions fans this season. No one expected Stafford to come onto the field and lead the previously 0-16 Lions to an 8-8 season, or even a 5-11 season for that matter. Stafford has dealt well with the pressure he has received, but can't get comfortable when he is getting knocked down 20 times a game. Despite the boo's, Stafford probably sold a few hundred jersey's after Sundays come from behind victory against the Browns. A 21 point deficit turned into Stafford's second victory in the NFL.