Detroit Lions: 10 Bold Predictions for Matthew Stafford's Post-Breakout Year

Matthew Stafford's talent has rarely been questioned. The pessimism many had about Stafford entering the 2011 season was due to his health, as he had only played in 13 of 32 possible regular-season games in his first two seasons.

Well, Stafford more than proved his doubters wrong in 2011, throwing for 5,038 yards, 41 touchdowns, and finishing with a 97.2 passer rating. On top of that, he led the Detroit Lions to 10 wins.

Good news for Lions fans: There are many reasons to expect continued growth in Stafford.

Let's take a look at some bold predictions for his 2012 season.

Stafford Will Lead the NFL in Passing Yards

Stafford's 5,038 passing yards in 2011 were good for third in the NFL. Last season, Stafford made improvements in almost every passing metric compared to his first two seasons and should continue to grow. 

On top of that, the Lions epitomize a pass-first team as Stafford led the NFL with 663 passing attempts in 2011.

If Stafford continues to improve, around 5,300 yards is not totally unreasonable, and it very well may be the highest mark in the league.

Stafford Will Lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes

Stafford also finished third in the league last year in touchdown passes with 41. As great as that mark is, there are reasons to believe he can improve upon it.

When the Lions get in the red zone, they score touchdowns. Stafford threw 29 of them and they finished first in 2011 in red-zone TD scoring percentage. 

Across the board, the Lions offense should be even better this year, as Jahvid Best will return, so expect more trips to the red zone. And Best isn't exactly a goal-line guy, so his return won't mean fewer red-zone passes for Stafford.

Forty-five to 47 touchdowns would likely be good for the lead in TD's, and Stafford could most certainly reach that.

Stafford Will Throw 20 of Those Touchdowns to Calvin Johnson

Stafford and the great player we call "Megatron" finally showed just how explosive they can be together when both are healthy. In 2011, Calvin Johnson reached career highs with 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those numbers are impressive on their own, but when you consider just how much defenses honed in on stopping Johnson, they're even more so.

Stafford loves having Calvin (and why wouldn't he?), throwing him 158 passes this past season (96 catches). However, it's possible Johnson could have a little less defensive attention this season given the return of Best and the improvement of the rest of the Lions' young WR's. 

Given that, the Stafford-Calvin connection may become even more lethal.

Stafford Throws 12 or Fewer Interceptions

Given how much the Lions will pass this season, throwing so few interceptions would be tough for any quarterback, but it is possible for Stafford.

After some multi-interception games in the middle of season, Stafford turned it on late and really showed just how excellent of a quarterback he can be. In the Lions' last five regular-season games, Stafford threw only three picks (he also threw 15 touchdowns).

If Stafford can just be a tad more consistent week to week next season, 12 interceptions is certainly possible. 

Stafford Has a Completion Percentage of 67 Percent or Better

Stafford improved leaps and bounds in terms of his accuracy in 2011. After having a completion percentage of 53.3% in 2009 and 59.4 percent in 2010 (in only 3 games), Stafford jumped all the way up to 63.5 percent this past year.

Given the Lions' one-dimensionality last season, that is awfully impressive.

Stafford is only 24 and because of injuries has still only played in 29 regular-season games, so last season will almost certainly not be his peak. Considering that, Stafford can make another significant leap in efficiency in 2012 and increase that completion rate.

Stafford Finishes with Passer Rating of 105 or Above

Stafford's 97.2 passer rating truly illustrates just how much he exploded last season, given the 61 rating he posted his rookie year. And Stafford more than has the ability to make another increase, to a lesser degree, in that metric in 2012.

Even if Stafford doesn't throw for the most yards in the NFL in 2012, he will still improve as a passer on an offense with players who are not only becoming more familiar with each other, but collectively becoming more efficient. 

If players like receiver Titus Young continue on with their growth, Stafford really could have a monster season.

Stafford Will Lead the Lions to 12 Wins

Considering this is a bold predictions piece, I have been looking at the best-case scenario for Stafford's statistics in 2012. Now let's do the same thing with the Lions.

With Stafford finally healthy, the Lions really came together last season, winning 10 games after winning six the previous year. However, the Lions are certainly not done improving. 

The Lions are still going to absolutely be a pass-first team in 2012, but if they can just be more efficient running the ball when they do, the offense will open up for Stafford even more.

Also, the Lions definitely need to address some of their defensive holes in the draft, but regardless, with Stafford at the helm they have the potential to do great things in 2012. 

Stafford Will Lead the Lions to NFC North Title

While, in most cases, if you were to say a team was going to win 12 games it would be somewhat applied that you think it will win its division. However, given the Lions are in the North with the Green Bay Packers, it needs mentioning.

The Packers were great last year—and will be this year—but whether most teams are able to execute it or not, in the playoffs the Giants really gave the rest of the league a blueprint on how to slow them down. 

Best-case scenario for the Lions is that teams do take lessons from the Giants.  And, of course, that Stafford does in fact lead them to around 12 wins or so.

Stafford Leads the Lions to at Least One Playoff Win

After their 10-win regular season in 2011, the Lions earned a Wild Card berth and faced the Saints in New Orleans. As we all know, they lost 45-28, but there really is no shame considering NO's dominance at home.

Although he threw two interceptions, Stafford played a great game, throwing for 380 yards. Stafford proved that he can excel in the biggest moments and he is not afraid of pressure. And for QB's, you really need to see them in postseason play to determine that (flip side of this is Matt Ryan).

With Stafford at the helm, the Lions can do some real damage in the 2012 postseason.  

Stafford Enters MVP Discussion

Last year, the MVP discussion only featured three players: Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady. This year, Stafford can enter that discussion.

The Lions' season rests on Stafford's shoulders, and he seems to ready to help them take the next step. And who knows, if Stafford is able to lead the Lions to an NFC North crown and accomplish some of other statistically based  bold predictions, Stafford just might win the award. 

How's that for bold?