Washington Commanders

Kirk Cousins vs. Matthew Stafford: Week 7 Quarterback Breakdown

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins are getting ready to lead their teams in a critical Week 7 matchup. Which quarterback will have the advantage?

Quarterbacks are the masters of the universe, and on Sunday, they are. A quarterback in the National Football League isn’t a job not for the faint of heart. They are the focal point, and their performances is criticized win or lose. In baseball the pitches face the same expectations. Nolan Ryan, one of the best pitchers to play the game, summarized the position as my job is to give my team a chance to win. It translate so simply to the play of the quarterback.

Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins have both had their successes at the position. But they have also had their faults. As they face off Sunday in Detroit lets take a look at the stats and compassion of these two quarterbacks. Both have the skill set to lead a team, but what separate the two?

Stafford entered the league in 2009 as the first overall draft choice. In his rookie campaign he completed 201 of 377 (53.3%) for 2,267 yards along with 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, a QBR of 61. Prior to Stafford’s arrival the Lions were 0-16 in the 2008 season, so you could say that he inherited a bad team. Stafford had a season ending shoulder injury that cost him majority of the 2010 season.

In 2011 Stafford led the Lions to the playoffs in his best to date statistical year going 421 of 663 (63.5%) for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He led the Lions to the playoffs with his gaudy statistics but they weren’t enough to propel them to victory in the playoffs as they fell to the Saints 45 to 28 in the wildcard. Again, he led the Lions to a 11-5 record in 2014 but suffered a 24-20 defeat in the playoffs to the Dallas Cowboys.

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Stafford has put up some of the best numbers in the league, but success is ultimately determined by postseason results, and Stafford has yet to reach that milestone. But his stat sheet alone is impressive. In his eight seasons of play he’s tallied four 4,000 yard seasons and one 5,000 yard season. He holds the single season passing attempts record with 727 which was set in place in 2012. He’s a dangerous quarterback with a powerful arm, and like any quarterback in the league. If he gets time, he’ll eat you alive.

Cousins has been in the league for five seasons, but has only been a starter for a year and six weeks, so his numbers surely won’t match that of Stafford’s. But, Cousins has done well for himself and the Redskins. In his first full season as a starter in 2015 he led the Redskins to the play offs and set numerous franchise records along the way. During the 2015 season Cousins had as good of statistical game as anyone in the league as he went 379 of 543 (69.8%) for 4,166 yards along with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions-101.6 QBR.

This season we’ve witnessed the good and bad of Cousins; the Jekyll and Hyde. Six weeks into the season Cousins has went 147 of 226 (65%) for 1,695 yards along with 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Cousins hasn’t exactly looked like the Cousins of 2015, but since Week 2 he’s thrown 8 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. The weight of the franchise tag looming has added extra stresses to a quarterback who already puts stress upon himself. Cousins has the tools to overcome, and the playmakers around him to help him along the way.

Stafford and Cousins are good quarterbacks, it just comes down to which is good enough. Which one will give their team the opportuniyu to win.

Hopefully Cousins gives Washington that chance Sunday.

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