
The 49ers defense has been inept on the road this season. And on Sunday, one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL awaits.
Matthew Stafford is coming off setting a Detroit Lions record with an 88.0 completion percentage on Monday night with a 22-of-25 passing display against the New Orleans Saints.
In early November, the Lions were 1-7, and the NFL Network reported Stafford’s future with the Lions was “very much in doubt.”
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In the past six games since the bye week –- and with the appointment of Jim Bob Cooter to replace Joe Lombardi as offensive coordinator -– Stafford has generated a 106.9 passer rating. Now, there’s no talk about Stafford’s future being in doubt.
“For the record, that never came from our camp, OK?” Lions coach Jim Caldwell told members of the Bay Area media Wednesday on a conference call. “That’s some of your colleagues out there. But there’s never been a mention of any sort in that regard. So let’s make sure we get that straight.”
On the season, Stafford has completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 3,663 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
“I do think he’s playing a bit more consistent at this point,” Caldwell said. “He’s been doing some things well even when we had some tough times. His protection wasn’t good enough for him. We weren’t running the ball well enough. And when those things aren’t going it makes it tough on a quarterback. Those things have come along for us, and thus it’s improved. What he is and what you see right now, he’s always been that way.”
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Two weeks ago, Stafford became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 25,000 passing yards. It took him 90 games to hit that mark, two fewer than it took Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer Dan Marino. Next on the list are Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning, who both needed 97 games.
The Lions have been out of the playoff picture for the entire second half of the season, but with victories in five of their past seven games, the team has clearly not given up. The scuffling 49ers will face a motivated opponent on Sunday.
“This is NFL football. You shouldn’t have to motivate guys,” Stafford said. “We go out every day during practice and on Sundays for games, and give it everything we have. We play for each other; we play for respect; play for coaches; play for everybody. We don’t need external motivation.”