© Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Stafford Leading the NFL in TD Passes Per Game
For the first time since January of 2011, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford did not start for the Lions in a regular season game.
It was a 136-game streak Stafford had going, and of course, his absence comes at a time where he is putting up career numbers.
There is no clear timetable for Stafford to return.
Some reports have indicated he could be back as soon as this week, while others suggest the injury may take more time.
If you ask Stafford himself, he is not ready to sit out any more games than he has to and for good reason.
Now with the season all but over for the Lions, there are still individual accomplishments on the line for the quarterback.
Unfortunately, that's been the story for a large majority of Stafford's career.
Of course, anybody would take wins over stats.
That's not to say Stafford isn't doing his part and carrying a subpar team.
As of right now, Stafford is first among all NFL quarterbacks in touchdown passes thrown per game.
He has averaged 2.38 touchdown passes over the eight games he has played in this season.
That mark edges out Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (2.30) and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (2.25).
Wilson currently is the league leader in touchdown passes with 23 -- four more than the Lions signal-caller. However, Wilson has also played in two more games.
Stafford has thrown a touchdown in 6.5% of his pass attempts this year -- the second-highest percentage in the league. And if Stafford keeps it up, it would be the best percentage he's ever recorded in a single season.
Whether or not you'd like Stafford to play again this season, remember, if he does, he is still very much in the mix to lead the NFL in multiple passing categories.
