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Matthew Stafford replaces Peyton Manning in Pro Bowl

By Hayden Kane

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls signals at the line of scrimmage Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls signals at the line of scrimmage Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford will replace Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos in next week’s NFL Pro Bowl.

From under-throws to over-throws, from flailing ducks to tight spirals, from overhand to sidearm throws, Matthew Stafford will replace Peyton Manning in the 2015 Pro Bowl.

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Team captains Cris Carter and Michael Irvin are probably underwhelmed by their new option at quarterback, though it’s not like a one-legged Peyton Manning was going to be an appealing choice in this game that is supposedly “fantasy football in real life.”

While many people were left with the memory of Manning’s struggles down the stretch this season, he was still more than worthy of a selection with his 4,727 yards passing and 39 passing touchdowns against 15 interceptions. Speaking to the Denver Post about the NFL’s silly All-Star game, Manning said that he has always “taken the obligation to play in it very seriously.”

The reader will kindly take note of Manning’s use of the word “obligation.”

Perhaps running out of options, the league tabbed Stafford as the replacement.

"One more Lion gets a Pro Bowl nod tonight. QB Matthew Stafford will be added to Pro Bowl roster. First #Lions QB since Greg Landry in 1971. — Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) January 19, 2015"

As for Stafford, to say that his 2014 season was an up-and-down campaign would be an understatement. Starting all 16 games, Stafford threw for 4,257 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He did complete 60.3% of his passes, but he played on a Lions team that will ultimately be remembered for its defense and its struggles to consistently score enough points.

There is no question that Stafford can make all of the throws, and certainly his overall numbers in 2014 were hurt by the prolonged absence of superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Nevertheless, it seems clear that Stafford got credit for his team’s win-loss record rather than his individual play. For the season, Stafford posted a mediocre 85.7 passer rating and a 55.05 QBR (on a scale of 1-100).

This seems to fit the formula for the NFL as they desperately try to fill the Pro Bowl rosters each season: league-average production plus name recognition equals a spot on one of the rosters.

This would have been Peyton Manning’s 12th Pro Bowl in which he participated, which seems like far too many. He has been named to 14 Pro Bowls. As for Matthew Stafford, this will be his first appearance in the Pro Bowl. Being an NFC quarterback, Stafford was eligible to replace Manning (an AFC QB) because of the game’s new format.

h/t Bleacher Report

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