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Buy or Sell: Matthew Stafford's 2019 Season Should Be Over

Should the Lions let Stafford rest and fully heal ahead of next season?
© Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

With a record of 3-5-1, the Detroit Lions are in last place in the NFC North. 

Recall, the Lions were 2-0-1 after their first three games.

Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Bears all but ended the Lions' slim chance of making the postseason. 

To have had a chance, the Lions would have needed to go 7-1 in their last eight games.

In consecutive seasons, longtime Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford has suffered a significant back injury. 

After playing in 136 consecutive games, Stafford did not play Sunday against the Bears. 

The argument can be made that Stafford should be allowed to fully heal and should be allowed to rest for as long as that takes. 

There is nothing to play for at this point in the season.

Those that are proponents of tanking will declare that by losing out, the Lions can have an opportunity to draft high-impact players in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

Without a real running game and with an offensive line that has injuries to two starters, the risk of Stafford further injuring himself is great. 

The upside to playing Stafford again in 2019 is ending the year on a good note and continuing to build upon offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's offense. 

And maybe, just maybe, Stafford's success this year with talented weapons T.J. Hockenson, Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golladay can carry over into 2020. 

Where do you stand? Do you want to see Stafford again in 2019?

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!