1st Quarter Mark Grades: NFC East

Now we have reached the anemic NFC East. This division in my opinion doesn't deserve to hold a playoff spot, yet alone field one. But for being fair sakes, lets look at the division that holds 4 teams that manage to be on the TV more than a Kardashian.

Philadelphia Eagles: 3-1, Tied for 1st in division

Grade: B-

Philly is the one team in this division I actually like. They have an high powered offense, good coaching and a defense that is average at best. My biggest issue is the same issue I had with them last year: that offensive line. They are always hurt and I don't think Nick Foles can stay healthy if he keeps getting clean shots at him every down. Hopefully they can fix it because this team deserves to own the east for a long time.

Next 4 games: vs St. Louis, vs New York, BYE WEEK, at Arizona

Difficulty: 5.5/10

New York Giants: 2-2, 3rd in division

Grade: C-

This team shall be forever known as "Presidential Election". Because they are only important every 4 years. Think about it, every time they have made some noise or been a legitimate threat in the NFC its every four years. So sure next year they might cause some problems but this year between an offense that can't handle a tough defense unless its handicapped( Houston was a bit) and a defense that last time I saw them, Calvin Johnson made two DBs run into each other, this team will be fighting to stay above .500.

Next 4 games:  vs Atlanta, at Philadelphia, at Dallas, BYE WEEk

Washington Redskins, 1-3, 4th in division

Grade: D-

This team annoys me more than any team in sport. The fact that I have to use that nickname for them is beyond infuriating, but lets get past that. RG3, at the beginning of this season, does a lot of talking only to get hurt in a game against jacksonville, and now won't be active until week 11 at the latest. Desean Jackson, who should still be with the Eagles, gets released and given a big contract with the team, which is good, but when its only really him, Roberts, Pierre Garcon and Alfred Morris expected to be the offense for this team, it sucks. Then there is the back-up QB, Kirk Cousins. Sorry to all my Michigan State friends but he is not a good QB. He is a bum and he is going to prove that for the next 6 weeks just you watch. This team would be smart to use him for trade bait and get 2 picks in the draft.

Next 4 games: vs Seattle, at Arizona, vs Tennessee, at Dallas

Difficulty:8/10

Dallas Cowboys: 3-1, Tied for 1st in division

Grade: A-

That grade I just gave might be the hardest thing I have had to do. I do not like this team, I believe that they are the most overrated team in the history of the league and for them to have a record no higher than an average of 8-8 for the past 17 years, it amazes me that they have more primetime and monday night games than anyone in the league. They are the accident waiting to happen and nothing makes me happier than when they prove me right. But for the first 4 games, I've been absolutely wrong. The defense is actually playing okay, the offense is running the ball, which is a first and has also lead to Demarco Murray to be the current leading rusher in the league( isn't that sad). Tony Romo isn't playing like Tony Ohno and the Dallas cowboys have a share of 1st place in the division and could be a possible playoff team. BUT..... they are the accident waiting to happen, aren't they? So while I'm more than willing to admit that they are playing extremely well, it is only a matter of time before the train of Dallas Cowboys 8-8 pulls up and takes this team through the rest of this season. Great thing about this train is, its never late.

Next 4 games: vs Houston, at Seattle, vs New York, vs Washington

Difficulty: 8/10

1st Quarter Mark Grades: AFC East

Our 1st quarter grades now take us up to the eastern side of the NFL, specifically with the AFC east. Normally you would think that the New England Patriots would have this division wrapped up. But things seem to be different and a new day could be dawning. Lets take a deeper look.

New York Jets: 1-3, 4th in division

Grade: C-

Now the reason that I chose THAT exact picture to represent the Jets is because that is exactly how I feel when I watch them. For them to have that good a defense( certainly haven't played that way for the past 3 weeks) this team is in desperate need of a culture change. And I can already guess a lot of you think I'm going to say that Mike Vick should be the QB instead of Geno Smith too huh? Well you'd actually be dead wrong. What good would having Vick in for Geno solve? That's like saying I'm trading a indecisive QB in for a walking hospital patient looking for that last great hit to send him out of the league. The issues with the jets aren't the fact that they don't have a QB, thats small on the list. The big thing they are missing is a true number one receiver. And don't try to give me that Eric Decker is the number one, that man is nothing more than a  overpaid number 3 receiver currently playing like a number 2. This team offensively is going to have issues and the secondary doesn't make it any better when they are not only depleted but they can't read coverages to save their souls.

Next 4 games: at San Diego, vs Denver, at New England, vs Buffalo

Difficulty: 9/10

New England Patriots: 2-2, Tied for 1st in division

Grade: C

Two words: DYNASTY OVER. Two more words: No offense. This team used to run the AFC East, but a lot of teams now see what to do in order to beat the Patriots, or rather they cracked the "Brady Code": Stop Gronk, and you win. Now I have absolutely nothing to say when it comes to that pass defense, they scare me more than the Legion of Boom does. But if the monday night game vs Kansas City was proof, the Pats need to strengthen that defense, especially in the running department and find a way to get some offensive firepower for Brady  or else the teams they face later in the season will be having patriots for breakfast, lunch, dinner and have a doggy bag to take home.

Next 4 games: vs Cincinnati, at Buffalo, vs New York, vs Chicago

Difficulty: 7.5/10

Miami Dolphins: 2-2, Tied for 1st in division

Grade: B

I don't have much to say about the Dolphins that would be bad. The one thing I can say is they need to be more dangerous in the passing department in order to win the division and with an okay schedule it might be possible to do so, especially if the team from week 1 shows up. Now by saying that, it also means trusting Ryan Tannehill to take you to the promise land and have you win a division that is truly for the first time for the taking.

Next 4 games: vs Green Bay, at Chicago, at Jacksonville, vs San Diego

Difficulty: 6.5/10

Buffalo Bills: 2-2, Tied for 1st in division 

This is the one team I'm personally pulling for more than my home team of the Detroit Lions, and truthfully it kills me that I have to down what they have done so far knowing that against those same Lions they won't win. This team and its fans have suffered; with the loss of an owner, to Jim Kelly fighting and beating cancer( thank the heavens), this team is the one good story I've been holding onto throughout this season. But back to critiquing this team and my biggest issue with them would have to be the fact that the QB position isn't as good as it should be. I somewhat wish they didnt move up to draft Sammy Watkins because with that they won't be able to go after Mariota or Winston in next years draft. But hopefully after week 5 they will be able to right the ship and get into the playoffs, because this team definitely deserves it.

Next 4 games: at Detroit, vs New England, vs Minnesota, at New York

Difficulty: 6.5/10

1st Quarter Mark Grades: NFC South

Ah, we have reached the crown jewel of the South, the NFC South. Everyone before the season told me that this division might hold the team that could upset the West. This division is fighting for 3rd best of the NFC with the lowly East, while the North and West hold down the 1st and 2nd spots. Lets take a in-depth look at the 4 southern teams.

Tampa Bay Buccanneers: 1-3, Tied for 2nd
Grade: D

What I'm about to address is a two parter so check the next team to understand what I'm talking about. First, Tampa Bay is by far one of the worst teams in the league. They have no legit future QB, they might have to look to the kid in either Tallahassee or in Eugene, Oregon for the answer to that. The utter stomping they took on Thursday night against Atlanta proves it, and the fact that a team like Pittsburgh allowed them to come back and win a game doesn't help the situation, it just proves that Tampa actually has some guts and stands for something, which I personally can't figure out. Being last in rushing and passing on both sides isn't a good sign especially when they play playoff caliber teams needing wins later in the season. Hopefully Lovie Smith keeps his job, because no one knew going into the season they would be this bad.

Next 4 games: at New Orleans, vs Baltimore, BYE WEEK, vs Minnesota

Difficulty: 10/10

Atlanta Falcons: 2-2, Tied for 1st
Grade: C+

Now for the second part of what I was talking about in the Tampa Bay piece. Atlanta isn't as good as it thinks it is. They are last in both passing(30th) and rushing(28th) defense. This isn't good for the division they are in and sure they can hang the fact that defeated and held off the Saints and destroyed the Bucs. Ill address the Saints later but for the Buccaneers, like I said above, they are one of the worst teams in the league, so don't act like being them on Monday Night with the talent they have on the team was such a surprise. The next four games don't get any easier and if these last four serve any indication, any team with a high-powered offense and dangerous defense will be your ruin. Unfortunately for Atlanta, 3 of the next 4 have just that.

Next 4 games: at New York Giants, vs Chicago, at Baltimore, vs Detroit( UK Game)

Difficulty: 7.5/10

Carolina Panthers: 2-2, Tied for 1st
Grade: C-

Oh where do I begin when it comes to the Carolina Panthers? Do I begin with the fact that their star QB Cam Newton, missed damn near all of the preseason because of a bum leg? Or do I start with the fact that we need to put an APB for that offensive line? Or how about the fact that without the criminally charged Greg Hardy, that the defense has allowed 233 passing yards per game, and a whopping 140 rushing yards? No, I know exactly where to begin, and its at the front office. How do you allow the ENTIRE Receiving corps to be free agents, and only bring in Kelvin Benjamin from the draft with a bunch of no names via free agency and then commit a even bigger sin and release Steve Smith, the guy who could have mentored Benjamin? The ego of the front office is going to be the downfall of this team and when the team runs out of places for Cam to throw the ball, like seen in the past 4 games, Cam is going to get hit. Hard.

Next 4 games: vs Chicago, at Cincinnati, at Green Bay, vs Seattle

Difficulty: 8.5/10

New Orleans Saints: 1-3,Tied for 2nd
Grade: D-

First let me say for everyone that picked the Saints to not only win the division but to beat Seattle, do what Stephen A. Smith did and put a bag over your head. This team has no heart and I don't know what it is, nothing changed. Then again I think it might the loss of Darren Sproles. This happens to every team he has left and it seems to be the case with the Saints offensively. But defensively, thats a whole different issue. Im looking at their next couple of games and out of the 3 they play before the halfway mark, 2 of them have dangerous to at least scary offenses. Drew Brees and Sean Payton don't deserve to be on teams like this, but theme the breaks, and it looks the water is getting to high in the City of Bourbon.

Next 4 games: vs Tampa Bay, BYE WEEK, at Detroit, vs Green Bay

Difficulty: 9/10

1st Quarter Mark Grades: AFC South

 Lets take a trip to the south for our first stop, the AFC Southern division. This division for the past couple of years has been run by the Indianapolis Colts and their star quarterback, Andrew Luck. But with the way things have been going this far into the new season, it looks like things might be different. Lets look at what each team has done so far.

Houston Texans: 3-1, 1st in the division

Grade: A

Lets not get it misconstrued, the only reason I'm giving the Houston Texans an A, is not because of the fact they are 3-1. In fact, I'm giving them an A+ because at the beginning of the season, if you would have told me that they would be 3-1 while Indianapolis is 2-2, I would have laughed at you uncontrollably. This team was believed to be dead in the water, hell look at them. No running game, the QB is a joke, Andre Johnson either needs to retire or ask to be traded, and what makes matters worse is that they had a chance at Johnny Manziel and instead took Jadeveon Clowney, and he hasn't played a snap in the NFL regular season yet. And still, they are 3-1. This team, who everyone had in the dumps this year, is becoming more and more of a threat because of one reason and one reason alone: J.J. Watt and that monster of a defense. They are ranked 24th in rushing defense, which is bad, but to then turn around and be ranked 14th in passing defense is incredible. It also means they are getting to the QB at will and no team short of the New York Giants were able to tear them apart. The only thing that seems like a kink in their proverbial Blue and Texas red armor is the fact that neither there run or pass game can get off the ground. And while they have a stout defense, they haven't played any legit adversary yet, and even non-threats have put up an average of 237 passing yards and 130 rushing yards. Lets hope for there sake that J.J. Watt can keep playing like he wants a MVP and that Clowney comes back, or this team will be in trouble going towards the half-way point of the season. 

Next 4 games: at Dallas, vs Indianapolis, at Pittsburgh, at Tennessee

Difficulty: 6.5/10

Jacksonville Jaguars: 0-4, 4th in division

Grade: F

Okay, I really don't want go into how bad this team is so I've decided to just give you 4 sentences for the situation in Jacksonville.

1.) Your team is horrible and both sides have some good talent but not complimentary pieces.

2.) Blake Bortles and Marqise Lee are going to be your future, build around them.

3.) When you get the first or second round pick next year, draft Amari Cooper. Trust me

4.) Despite what loyal Jacksonville fans want, if your team doesn't play well, it will be moved to L.A., but at least you'll still be in a warm state.

Next 4 games: vs Pittsburgh, at Tennessee, vs Cleveland, vs Miami

Difficulty: 9/10

Tennessee Titans: 1-3, 3rd in division

Grade: D

Okay, this team is a bit of quandary, not because of how good or obviously bad this team has played. It because I thought with the pieces they collected via the draft and the fact that Ken Whisenhunt chose this team over the Detroit Lions( which looks insane now), they would be where Houston is right now, or at least in second place of the division. They main issue is that this team can't stop ANYONE from passing it, but has a defensive line that stop the run. So hopefully they can catch their stride and look at it this way: Atleast you won a game, which is more than can be said for the team below you.

Next 4 games: vs Cleveland, vs Jacksonville, at Washington, vs Houston

Difficulty: 8.5/10

Indianapolis Colts: 2-2, 2nd in division

Grade: B

Now this grade of a B isn't because of who they beat, actually its because who they lost to. Ill give you that Philadelphia soundly came back and whooped the Colts, but that isn't my beef with this team. My beef is with that first game. You are down against the Denver Broncos, make a comeback, and your defense can't hold steady and stop a overrated( ill get to that later in the week) Denver Broncos. And for Broncos fans reading this, calm down because you didnt win by 20, you won by 7, meaning victory wasn't fully in your grasp. Now to the Colts, you should be 3-1 alongside Houston, but as of now I'm giving you the B for the first four game because what I stated above and because you beat who you were supposed to be, Jacksonville and Tennessee, soundly. This season for should be the season where Andrew Luck proves the hype around him is real, because for people like Donovan McNabb and Jaws of ESPN to crown him the 5th best QB in the league (which is a farther stretch than saying the name Stretch Armstrong) he needs to prove it against tough opponents. Luckily ( get it) he will have that opportunity.

Next 4 games: vs Baltimore, at Houston, vs Cincinnati, at Pittsburgh

Difficulty: 8/10

1st Quarter Mark Grades: AFC North

Now lets look at the other Northern division in football, the AFC North. Normally, Pittsburgh and Baltimore would be running this division but now it seems that like the NFC North, a group of cats are kings of the jungle... Lets break it all down, and pass out some grades shall we?

Pittsburgh Steelers: 2-2, 3rd in the division

Grade: C-

This team, and no offense to anyone that is a Steelers fan, should be known as the Pittsburgh AARP. That defense is still way too old and they didnt do much to fix it in the offseason, but that neither here nor there. Looking at the first 4 games, this team goes through ups and downs each week. Dominant one week, weak the next. In fact, if you look at the first game they played, they should be 1-3, if not for their defense actually playing like a good team would. Im glad the Le'Veon Bell is doing well but this is only going to go so far. Also looking at the last of the four games, i understand that in the NFL anyone can win, but seriously how do you allow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the same Tampa Bay that got smashed by Atlanta, to put up 27 points in a comeback win? Completely unacceptable, which makes me question your next 4 games and the only reason they have a C- is due to them shutting down Cam Newton and the Panthers.

Next 4 games: at Jacksonville, at Cleveland, vs Houston, vs Indianapolis 

Difficulty:9.5/10

Cleveland Browns: 1-2( bye week on week 4), 4th in the division

Grade: D

Im going to start off by saying something that needs to be said and I hope you agree:

CUT THE CRAP AND START JOHNNY MANZIEL. This team season is over, yes I know its early but lets not kid ourselves, this team has only one win, and thats against a New Orleans team that can't stop ANYONE on defense. The issue I have is that Clevelands next 4 games are very winnable only if  Johnny Football is playing. Manziel needs to play and get acclimated to live NFL games, because eventually this season, your big gun in Josh Gordon will be coming back. Hopefully they realize it before its too late and stop with this "Oh Brian Hoyer is better than Manziel" lie. 

Next 4 games: at Tennessee, vs Pittsburgh, at Jacksonville, vs Oakland

Difficulty: 5.5/10

Baltimore Ravens: 3-1, 2nd in the division

Grade: A-

This team is like a bad plague: it just won't go away. Baltimore doesn't have much issues after the first 4 teams, except they have to run into Cincinnati one more time later on in the season. But looking at the first four games, despite the Ray Rice issue they had and have, this team looks like it could get a Wild Card spot. The defense needs to play a bit better, particularly in the pass defense, but they should make some noise later on. 

Next 4 games: at Indianapolis, at Tampa Bay, vs Atlanta, at Cincinnati

Difficulty: 8/10

Cincinnati Bengals: 3-0, 1st in the division

Grade: A+

Dominant. That's it, they have been dominant for the first 3 games of the season. Check this out, they are 9th in passing yards, and 17th and 18th in defense passing and rushing. On top of this, they have allowing a combined 33 points to the combined 80 points they have racked up. Now while the teams they have played are a bit of some pushovers, they can't get complacent. They have 2 difficult but winnable games coming up, and a divisional game that might decide how good they are. But while they are currently one of two undefeated, the question that needs to be asked in the city of Cincinnati is this: is this a sign of things to come in the form of a playoff win, or will they just raise our hopes to let us down in January?

Next 4 games: at New England, vs Carolina, at Indianapolis, vs Baltimore

Difficulty: 7.5/10

1st Quarter Mark Grades: NFC North

First, understand that this is what I did because of what my hometown Detroit Lions have done so far:

https://vine.co/v/MZlEXYlw6Pr

So excusing that cheesy youtube link, lets talk NFC North. The Packers and Bears have run this division with Detroit and Minnesota picking up the rear and fighting to be second. But after this week, things look a bit different. Lets break this down.

Chicago Bears: 2-2, Tied for 2nd 

Grade : C- 

If I was a fan of this team, I wouldnt know whether to demand Jay Cutler be removed from his starting position, or ask for the team to take the season off, find a boat and search for the fountain of youth. This team has had two great games, one against the Jets and another against the 49ers. But they have two losses against the Bills and the Packers, one by a overtime margin and another was an absolute blowout. The Bears need to lockdown and focus more on defense because in the division you are in, you are going against 2 teams that can shoot down your defense in a heartbeat. This team is in serious trouble as they have a loss in the division, which isn't good to start out with.

Next 4 games: at Carolina, at Atlanta, vs Miami, at New England 

Difficulty: 7/10

Minnesota Vikings: 2-2, Tied for 2nd

Grade: C

First lets get rid of the elephant in the room. This grade has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that number 28 is not playing this season. But it doesn't mean that it won't affect them this season. They came out like gangbusters vs the Rams, but that win can be poo-poo'ed because of the fact that St. Louis has no QB. Now they had New England on the ropes for a minute but the defense let them down along with the fact they played against Tom Brady. The same formula could be said for the game against New Orleans and if they had a bye for week 4, i would have given them a D. But then week 4 wasn't a bye, it was the first career start for Teddy Bridgewater against a Atlanta Falcons team that just hung 40+ on Tampa Bay. And not only did they win, they did impressively. Matt Asiata balled out and Teddy Bridgewater, i mean what else can be said, there is a reason he was taken in the first round and a lot of teams that passed him up( cough Houston, Cleveland, Buffalo, Jacksonville) are going to look sad because he is going to shine in this division which will make him a star.

Next 4 games: at Green Bay, vs Detroit, at Buffalo, at Tampa Bay 

Difficulty: 8/10

Green Bay Packers: 2-2, Tied for 2nd

Grade: B

This team has won the division for the past 3 years. 3 Straight years, hell they even won it last year with a 8-7-1 record. And you would think that because Aaron Rodgers tells the Packers fans to "RELAX" that I would do the same. I don't think so. First lets address the first 4 games, particularly the losses. First and foremost both teams played the exact same on defense only difference is that the Seattle win wasn't as embarrassing as the Detroit loss because A) they are the defending champs and B) for the most part, Aaron Rodgers is such a threat that the Packers should have put up a better fight. But that didnt happen. The reason the Packers lost is because they realized Green Bay's critical flaw: The O-line and D-line is weaker than a pack of tissue dumped in a pool and your running game isn't all its cracked up to be. Green Bay needs to fix both sides if they want to make the playoffs and what makes it worse it that your wins, while impressive, proved nothing. You allowed Geno Smith and the Jets to put 24 on you and almost won the game if not for a boneheaded timeout, and you outshot the Bears( which if you've gotten this far, you know why). Green Bay will always pose a threat in this division if the offense plays like this, but think about this: What do you trust more: that the division will fall apart, ready for you to take it or that your defense can hold teams to 17 points every week and you can put up 20+ points offensively? Only time will tell.

Next 4 games: vs Minnesota, at Miami, vs Carolina, at New Orleans 

Difficulty: 6/10

Detroit Lions: 3-1, 1st Place

Grade: B+

Now why would i give this team a B+ despite the fact that they are in 1st place? Why would I give a team that has a dangerous offense, a deadly defense, new coaching and winning despite major injury losses to both sides of the ball? Because they can and should be more dangerous. Lets look at the teams they have played:

NY Giants (2-2)

Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Carolina Panthers (1-3)

NY Jets (2-2)

Guess which game sticks out like a sore thumb for this team in first place? The Carolina game. I can't believe that a team this potent on offense and defense lost to the Panthers, who look like a complete and utter shell of themselves. But you can't win every game so lets breakdown what we have learned about this team so far. First off, we've learned this team, despite targeting Calvin Johnson the first 3 games, doesn't need to rely on Calvin to win football games, and that was evident in the Jets and Packers win. We also learned that this defense is dangerous and only gets more dangerous the more its hurt. They have lost Linebackers, DBs, and 2 of their draft picks to injury( although Kyle Van Noy is set to come back by the halfway point of the season) and everyone would paint this team for dead. This team reminds me of the DC comics villain Doomsday. Injure it, and not only does it come back but it can't be hurt the way it was before. If this team plays like that, hopefully not with anymore injuries, they can go from being a divisional threat to a conference threat. 

Next 4 games: vs Buffalo, at Minnesota, vs New Orleans, at Atlanta(UK Game) Difficulty: 6.5/10

4 Down, 12 to Go: Grades for the NFL at the 1st Quarter Mark of the Season

Well you made it! We are past the 1st four weeks of the season, and at this point we have a idea of how is going to do good, who might be a surprise and who isn't going to do well this season. But of course, you want to know the grades, particularly my grades for the 32 teams so far. So here is how its going to go:

1)We have 5 days until Week 5 starts with the Thursday game.

2)Sunday through Wednesday, I'm going to give you 2 divisions and break them down

3) Thursday, ill name who at this moment is playoff bound and who is upset bound

4) Each team will get broken down by division and the degree of difficulty they will face for the next 4 games

So, check back all throughout this week and see how your team is!!! 

Aiming for Greatness: Why Matthew Stafford will be the next star in the NFL

2009 1st round draft, the Detroit Lions select Matthew Stafford, Quarterback from Georgia. Right then and there, the 6-2, 230 pound QB from Georgia went from a streak of winning on the college and high school level to joining a NFL team that just came off of a 0-16 season. But hope looked good for the team with a young exciting QB taking the helm. then he got injured in 2009 and 2010, playing a total of 13 games. Enter the next season in better shape, and he plays the next 3 seasons from 2011-2013 in all 16 games but only wins 21 games in those 3 seasons. But now is a new season and a lot of people still don't trust the Lions, in particular Matthew Stafford. Right now, I'm going to show you why he should be trusted and at the age of 26, he is only poised to be more dangerous than you think.

First lets look at who he has to play every season in his division. He has to go against a Super Bowl winner in Aaron Rodgers and then another SEC QB only a 5 hour drive away in Jay Cutler. Both of these men have elite arms and can shootout any team they go against. But why is Matthew Stafford not mentioned as a elite arm? A lot of pundits would say its the team he is on but lets look at his stats. Since playing in the league in 2009, Stafford has these stats:

2009: 2267 yards, 13 TDs to 20 INTS in 10 games

2010: 535 yds, 6 TDs, 1 INT in 3 games

2011: 5038 yds, 41 TDs, 16 INTS in a full season

2012: 4967 yds, 20 TDs, 17 INTs in a full season

2013:  4650 yes, 29 TDs, 19 INTs in a full season

Now I know a lot of you naysayers will say " oh he has Calvin Johnson, of course he is going to have high stats". Really? You think Megatron is the reason his stats are so high? Well lets cut Megatrons numbers out of it then. 

2009: 1,283 yds, 8 TDs ( Calvin had 984 yds and 5 TDs)

2010: 303 yds, 6 TDs ( Calvin had 1120 yards and 12 TDs, but the rest come from the back-up)

2011: 3,357 yds, 25 TDs( Calvin had 1681 yds and 16 TDs)

2012: 3,003 yds, 15 TDs ( Calvin had 1964 yds and 5 TDs)

2013: 3,150 yds, 7 TDs ( Calvin had 1492 yds and 12 TDs)

See, look at that? So crunching the numbers, that means with Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford has an average of 3,4091 yards and 21.8 touchdowns. And without him, Stafford has 2,219 yards and 12.2 touchdowns, and both of these are with 2 injured plagued seasons to start his career.

But this isn't the sole reason Stafford is a rising star. Those stats above are from the Jim Schwartz era. His methodology has changed and only for the better, lets look at a play he did during the comeback win versus the Dallas Cowboys. http://youtu.be/MwDh6tqpyek?t=16s

Now look at the way Stafford was locked in to get the ball to Kris Durham. it was crisp, precise and damn near seamless. In the Schwartz era, you would only see that Stafford   if the game was on the line or if they were definitely better than the opposite team. Now lets look at Stafford in his first game of this season.

http://youtu.be/nWsZaIdI270?t=14s

Notice something different? Every play he threw on had that same type of tempo he had last year under the Schwartz era. The reason this is because of the retooling of Stafford via Jim Caldwell and Joe Lombardi. Both of these guys decided that in order for stafford to be the best version of himself they needed to keep his cannon for an arm, make him more responsible for deciding the play, lighten him up( physically), and make him more of a weapon instead of a game manager.

And that's why Stafford will be dangerous. Before this season, you could equate Stafford to a old school  boxer: great but always has that big punch that will either win him the fight or let him down more than once. Now Stafford is like a MMA fighter: he is the weapon on top of having various ways to attack you, which in my opinion his nickname should be "Arsenal". Now when a defense has to play the Lions you also have to worry about stafford escaping from the pocket buying time for his receivers to get open and make plays, and with the people he is with, that is the last thing you want to see. 

So in closing, in a league where everyone wants to find that next big QB, whether it be a QB who is playing backup for a legend, or a certain guy in Cleveland who won't start because the coach won't give him the chance, the NFL has a star waiting to be unveiled. Matthew Stafford has the ability and god given skills to make the Lions not only a team on the national spotlight, but also become a even greater QB than he already is. All he has to do is to keep shining and glow brighter.

30 points or more: The Lions new offensive nightmare

With our backs to the wall, the darkness will fall, we never quite thought we could lose it all. Ready, Aim,Fire. Ready, Aim, Fire. And empires fall in just one day. You close your eyes and the glory fades.

Those words are from the band Imagine Dragons song, "Ready Aim Fire". Now how does that equate to this topic? Like most Detroit Lions fans, i wasn't happy with the idea of drafting Eric Ebron, Tight End from North Carolina first with the 10th pick. But i realized with Justin Gilbert and Sammy Watkins off the board, and not wanting Darqueze Dennard, it was an okay pick. But now I'm looking at the offensive draft picks we acquired, and I must now say that not only do I love this pick, but I think this pick along with TJ Jones makes the Lions a 30 point scoring team threat. Let me explain why.

Now a lot of people wondered "why pick up Ebron, we have two tight ends on the squad already". And to a certain point you would be correct, except you aren't looking

at the grand scheme of things. Remember that 2 of the new coaches used dual and triple tight end sets. Plus who is to say Fauria won't get all the red-zone snaps while Pettigrew switch off on long ball situations? 

But First, lets look at who is on the offensive roster to help setup my theory:

Joique Bell

Reggie Bush

Calvin Johnson

Golden Tate

TJ Jones

Kevin Ogletree

Corey Fuller

Ryan Broyles

Eric Ebron

Joseph Fauria

Brandon Pettigrew

Now look at that lineup. Remember how Stafford, despite his recent 2 bad seasons has thrown for a average of 4,200 yards? Imagine the carnage he will cause with a new scheme and this weapons. But lets get into the fun part of all of this. Calvin Johnson is the only player that is going to demand a double team and rightfully so, he is Megatron. But not this year. Expect him to play a lot of single coverage because of who will be alongside him on the line: Jones, Tate and Ebron. As i said before, Ebron will get snaps this year but let me make one thing clear:

HE WILL NOT BE PLAYING AS A TIGHT END, BUT AS A RECEiVER. 

See why he was a great pick now? They picked up a need and a backup in the same pick. Ebron is 6'4 but plays like a slot receiver. Go look at his tape, preferably the one against Miami in 2013. Also realize that he is the guy that broke Vernon Davis' ACC record of YAC and receptions this year alone. His hands are incredible and he will become a nightmare for defenses that think they can double Megatron with a safety and put a Linebacker on Ebron. 

Now to my favorite player from this draft class, TJ Jones. First, he dad played for the Lions back in the day. Secondly he can play the role that Nate Burleson was but a bit better as he is taller than Burleson. With his size and hands imagine having 2 Golden Tate's on the field. I don't care what round he was picked, except him to be on the field alongside Tate in 4 receiver sets. 

Lets also look at two guys that came to attention during this preseason fighting for their lives on the team and ended up being possible sneak bombs for this arsenal: Corey Fuller and Ryan Broyles. Broyles, despite many fans wanting him gone because he has had the injury bug bite him more than living in a bed bug apartment, has shown over the preseason to be someone who can come in on a 3rd down and get you the first and then some. Fuller, who I personally am happy to see play, will be what Kris Durham was supposed to be. He can stride down the field and has the hands to make great catches that could be beneficial in the long haul of the season.

Now how to make this offensive weaponry score 30 a game? That part is easy. Remember that late bubble screen the Lions used last year with Bell and Bush that always worked and created not only first downs but sometimes touchdowns as well? Expect that as well, but this time expect Tate, Ross, and Jones to be options as well in that setup. That right there is at least 2 touchdowns per game at the most. Add another 2-3 for the fact that Bell and Bush will come back from small injuries and be used in a bigger rotation with Theo Riddick so expect the running to be a 3 headed rushing system.

Now at this point your wondering, no team is going to allow the Lions to rack up 30 on them, and your probably right. But thats not to say the Lions can't get close to 30 a game on the teams they play this year. Calvin is going to get his TD's this year but the reason Ebron , Jones and Tate where brought in was to take pressure off Calvin. If you put the four of these men on the same field, in a single back shotgun set, the defense can't just double team  Calvin anymore. Tate, Ogletree, Broyles, Fuller and Jones will  demand the Strong safety to cover one of them. Meanwhile the linebackers will be concerned with not only helping sacking Stafford but stopping the running back, no matter who it is. But here is where Ebron becomes a threat. Because while both covering Megatron and Ebron with a cornerback might provide some help from 5 -10 yards, you have to put a safety on one of them, leaving one to torture a corner every time they run this play. See how dangerous that sounds? I know its early but eventually people are going to call this team " the second greatest show on turf". I know this is just my belief but trust and believe that this is going to be one of the reasons the Lions post a better record than before, and break a couple of records in the process. Just watch.