USAT: Lions Wire audio clip

USAT: Lions Wire

Feb 14, 2022

Like the rest of the Lions nation, I watched Super Bowl LVI in eager anticipation of seeing how Matthew Stafford would fare in the biggest game of his life. Going into the game, I wasn’t sure how to feel about watching the best Lions QB of the Super Bowl era finally playing to win one in another uniform. - The game turned out like so many games Stafford played in Detroit. After some shaky moments, he delivered in the clutch. Stafford led a 15-play, 72-yard scoring drive to lead the Rams from a 20-16 deficit to a 23-20 lead, hitting Cooper Kupp with what proved to be the game-winner with just over a minute to play. - In that moment, I found myself pulling for Stafford. I wasn’t one of those people who liked the “Detroit Rams” shirts or felt the need for any sweeping statement on Stafford from this game. I was basically indifferent, to be honest. But when he got the ball back with a chance to lead a game-winning drive, I was firmly behind No. 9. - Just as he did 38 times in 12 seasons in Detroit — six more than any other quarterback in the NFL in that timeframe — Stafford led his team on a game-winning drive for a comeback victory. For the third game in a row, Stafford did it in a postseason game. That should effectively kill any of the ridiculous “Stat Padford” narratives that too many people who should know better still love to spew out. When given the chance to lead a game-winning drive in a meaningful game, Stafford did it three times in a row. He’s now got a Super Bowl ring to show for it. - He didn’t do it alone. Aaron Donald snuffed out the last-gasp Bengals drive by himself, ruining the final two Cincinnati offensive plays. Kupp perked up late in the game once Rams head coach Sean McVay remembered he was on the team and stopped running the ball. The offensive line clamped down the Bengals pass rush late, too. Giving Stafford all the credit is an embarrassing disservice to his teammates. Kupp won the MVP for his two touchdown receptions, and the award just as easily could have gone to Donald. - In the end, I’m happy for Stafford. Genuinely happy. It’s disappointing that it never happened in Detroit, and he bears some of the blame for that. No doubt about it. But when he was traded a little over a year ago, that chapter ended. I was among the many who moved on without a lot of emotion. I’m a Lions fan above any one player. That can be a frustrating existence, but you can’t change where your heart lies. - The whole book should be closed now for Detroit and Lions fans, and it was a happy ending for Stafford and the Rams. They went all-in and it worked, a lesson I hope the new Lions regime takes to heart. - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Lions Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Lions Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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