Packers: NFC North quarterback power rankings 2018

2. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford is about as reliable as they come at quarterback. He’s taken the Lions to the playoffs a couple of times, but hasn’t seen much success beyond that. He’s been able to keep the Lions out of the division’s cellar for most of his career too. His numbers are usually impressive, but that’s basically Matthew Stafford to a T – “usually impressive.”

The Lions are paying Stafford like one of the game’s best, and he can be that at times. The reason the Lions haven’t been winning more isn’t his fault. The running game has been atrocious almost since Barry Sanders left town, let alone since Stafford has been there. However, the Lions look like they’re finally recognizing what they need to do to win with Stafford. He has a very underrated group of skill players surrounding him now.

Stafford has all the tools, with the big arm, the toughness and the aggressiveness to put pressure on defenses, to be one of the best quarterbacks in the game. He just needs the help around him to show up. If you send Stafford to the Vikings this year, with that supporting cast, the Vikings would be favorites to win the Super Bowl. Instead, he’s stuck with the Lions where he’ll have to battle for 10 wins, and that may not even be good enough for the playoffs.