Lions head coach Jim Caldwell benched longtime starting quarterback Matthew Stafford during the team’s 42-17 loss to Arizona on Sunday after Stafford threw three interceptions and averaged just 5.5 yards per attempt on 32 passes. Backup Dan Orlovsky came in for Stafford and wasn’t much better, completing just over 55 percent of his 38 passes for 5.0 yards per attempt, a touchdown and an interception. Afterward, Caldwell said Stafford is still the 0-5 Lions starter going forward, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link).
More on Stafford and some other QBs from around the NFL:
- Stafford was probably the least surprised about his benching, as Caldwell informed the 27-year-old at halftime that he’d sit if he threw a third pick, per NFL Network’s Albert Breer (via Twitter). Stafford did, so Caldwell stuck to his word and pulled him.
- Unlike Caldwell, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is considering a quarterback change and will evaluate the position during his team’s bye week, Clarence Hill of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (Twitter link). Brandon Weeden fared well statistically in his two starts prior to this week, but the club lost both outings and fell to 0-3 with him under center Sunday in a 30-6 loss to New England. Weeden had his worst game of the year, going 26 of 39 for 188 yards and an interception. That could open the door in Week 7 for veteran Matt Cassel, whom the 2-3 Cowboys acquired in a trade with Buffalo last month.
- Surprisingly, one QB who has been playing great lately is Browns journeyman Josh McCown. The 36-year-old threw for a franchise-record 457 yards in Cleveland’s 33-30 win over Baltimore on Sunday. That gives him an eye-popping 1,154 yards over the last three weeks. Further, McCown has thrown six touchdowns against only one interception during that span, and Bud Shaw of Northeast Ohio Media Group writes that he’s the biggest reason the 2-3 Browns have to believe in themselves. Their defense – which was supposed to be a strength – has underachieved, and McCown’s stellar play of late has silenced calls for big-name backup Johnny Manziel.
With all the coaching/front office turnover Cleveland’s had this decade, it’s a positive sign for the Mike Pettine-fronted staff they showed conviction in sticking with McCown amid the source-generated reports and public outcries for Manziel after his Week 2 victory.
The Browns won 33-30 not 30-27