Fansided

One reason every team can win Super Bowl 52

By John Buhler

Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warms up prior to the game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warms up prior to the game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Lions: another year of prime Matthew Stafford

Since offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter was promoted to replace Joe Lombardi as the Lions’ quarterbacks coach in 2015, we’ve seen franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford go from middle of the pack to MVP candidate.

Stafford has one of the best arms the NFL has ever seen, but he’s been inefficient as a passer since entering the league in 2009. 2016 has been a renaissance year for Stafford. He’s orchestrated many game-winning drives in moments of immense crisis, and is now firmly in his prime in his late 20s.

Any NFL franchise that has a star quarterback in his prime has a legitimate shot of winning a Super Bowl. Stafford sees the field better in Cooter’s offense and doesn’t have to lean on wide receiver Calvin Johnson for the big play now that Megatron has retired from football.

Detroit will need to continue to get better on defense and in NFC North play to realistically win the division in 2017. However, a Lions Wild Card team can definitely make it to Super Bowl 52 with Stafford under center. Barring injuries, Stafford should be a top 10 quarterback in the NFL through the end of the decade. He’s really harnessing his talent in a Detroit offense built around him, not Johnson.

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