For the second straight week, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford took advantage of a favorable matchup, following up 390-yard performance Week 13 against Chicago with a three-touchdown performance Week 14 against Tampa Bay. It was his first game with three passing touchdowns all season and just his fourth with more than 300 passing yards. He finished with 311.
Some will credit the return of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson from an ankle injury for Stafford's turnaround, and certainly, that's played a part. He was responsible for 158 of Stafford's yards in Week 14 and 146 in Week 13. But he returned in Week 10. Stafford was only productive in one of his first three games back.
At least just as responsible for the turnaround is the matchups. Stafford faced the Cardinals and Patriots in Weeks 11 and 12, two teams with some star power in their secondaries, and they were two of his worst games of the season. The Bears and Buccaneers have allowed bunches of touchdowns through the air this season, and Stafford, with help from Johnson, has added to those numbers.
Of course, whether Johnson or the matchups are more responsible is mostly irrelevant. Johnson isn't going anywhere, and Stafford has two more favorable matchups against the Vikings and Bears the next two weeks. He's finally the quarterback you drafted him to be, so keep him active.