Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn't been enjoying life without Calvin Johnson so far this season, and up until halftime Sunday, that trend looked like it was going to continue.
Stafford had just 2 Fantasy points at halftime in Week 8, as the Lions were being run off the field. However, he finally found his way in the second half, by leaning heavily on Golden Tate, his best receiver left. Stafford and Tate hooked up four times for 128 yards after the break, including a 59-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Stafford has usually found success in the past by leaning on Johnson heavily, so it is natural he might have trouble figuring out how to operate without him. Tate is no Johnson, but he has proven to be a pretty dependable No. 1 receiving option anyways, and someone Stafford needs to rely on moving forward, even when Johnson comes back.
Sunday's game was a promising one for Stafford, since it is his first 20-plus Fantasy point effort since Week 4. With Johnson hopefully getting close to returning, this might be the perfect time to buy low on Stafford, who could be in line for a big second half after the team's Week 9 bye.