Detroit Lions’ Offense led by Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson Will be Explosive

Cris Carter already got me vexed with his awful commentary about Calvin Johnson Friday. Not only was I upset because his analysis was factually incorrect, but also because I think Calvin Johnson is one of the best receivers in the NFL. Along with Matt Stafford, I believe Megatron will help produce one of the more entertaining offenses in football this season.

My love for the Stafford-to-Calvin combination is nothing new. I wrote about the tandem last November and listed the stats that show how unstoppable they are. It looks like they’re prepared to take things to the next level this year if their first preseason game was any indication.

Stafford went 6-7 for 71 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati’s top defense (I know, oxymoron) Friday night. He threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson. The best part was a stat presented by Evan Silva of Rotoworld. Silva noted on twitter that the Lions “went shotgun on 21 of first 28 snaps tonight. That’s what the offense is. Shotgun-heavy, pass-first spread. Big-time stats coming.”

My mouth watered after reading that. I know people are skeptical of taking Stafford (and Calvin somewhat) in fantasy leagues because of injury histories. I’m not. Those guys are going to blow up this year and the Lions will be a force in the NFC. I’m not going as far as Peter King and putting Detroit in the Super Bowl, but they’re certainly a team on the rise.