Detroit Lions: Realistic Expectations for Matthew Stafford in 2012

Matthew Stafford's 2012 campaign will and should be a dramatic turn from the record setting numbers he posted in 2011.

The Detroit Lions and their young quarterback must evolve to continue their rise to NFL prominence. Part of that evolution means a more balanced offensive attack.

Stafford threw for over 5000 yards this past season. Therefore, many people may wonder why an offense should change at all when their quarterback has one of the best statistical years in NFL history.

The reason is that Detroit simply cannot sustain that type of offense.

Stafford attempted 663 passes in 2011, which was good for most in the league. That means an average of over 40 attempts per game.

Unfortunately, the Lions went 2-5 in games in which No. 9 had at least 44 passing attempts or more.

There is a marked difference between being successful through the air and over-relying on the aerial attack. Detroit dangerously walked that line all season.

When Stafford and company most lacked balance, they had the worst results. That being said, we must also realize that Detroit's offensive game-plan often had to compromise for an underwhelming ground attack.

The Lions ranked 29th in the NFL in rushing yards last season and had a revolving door at the running back position, which included Jahvid Best, Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris.

In 2012, they hope to finally see the debut of Mikel LeShoure and a healthy Jahvid Best. These are players that can provide just the type of balance Detroit needs.

Look at Best's top performance from last season—Monday Night Football in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears.

In that contest, Best had 163 yards rushing and a touchdown. Stafford had only 26 attempts, 219 yards passing and two touchdowns as the Lions cruised to a 24-13 victory.

This is the type of game-plan Detroit will try to utilize for the most part next season.

Would it be terrible to throw for another 5000 yards? 

Obviously not.

However, the hope is that yardage like that could come on far fewer pass attempts.

Stafford ranked only 13th in the NFL in yards per attempt in 2011, meaning there is certainly room for improvement in that regard.

Instead, what kind of numbers should we expect and hope for out of the Lions QB next year?

His receiving corps remain intact, with No. 1 target Calvin Johnson being possibly the best receiver in all of football. Meanwhile, the combination of Titus Young, Nate Burleson, Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler all provide nice secondary options.

All things considered, a healthy Stafford should realistically throw for at least 4300 yards and 35 touchdowns next season.

While that is not as statistically impressive as 2011, if the running game develops, those numbers could actually be considered an improvement for the Lions offense.