What Are Matthew Stafford's Best Moments with the Lions?

TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 24: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks on during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The 2021-2022 season is going to be one of change for the Detroit Lions. Not only is the team getting a new general manager in Brad Holmes and new head coach in Dan Campbell, but the Lions' longtime quarterback, Matthew Stafford, is being traded to the Los Angeles Rams.

During his time with the Lions, Stafford may not have brought home a Super Bowl win, but he did deliver plenty of unforgettable plays. Read on for a few of Matthew Stafford's best moments with the Lions.

His miraculous win against the Cleveland Browns in 2009

Who can forget the massive, game-winning throw against the Cleveland Browns in his first year with the Detroit Lions? Stafford stepped out of the game for a shoulder injury, but he stepped back in just in time to deliver a game-winning throw to Brandon Pettigrew to score the win. It was at this moment that Lions fans knew Stafford was going to give this team everything he had.

His famed fourth-quarter comebacks

Stafford plays well under pressure, and that's apparent in all of his fourth-quarter comebacks. While fourth-quarter plays were a theme throughout Stafford's time with the Lions, 2016 was an especially big year, with Stafford's eight fourth-quarter comebacks setting a NFL record. Will his fourth-quarter legacy become a theme with the L.A. Rams? Time will tell.

His fake spike against Dallas in 2013

As a football fan, I love a successful fake play. Some of my favorite game moments are successful fake and Hail Mary plays, especially when it comes to the Lions and Spartans. (Yes, I root for the green and white.) That said, Stafford has more than a few memorable ones. Ford Field exploded when Stafford went up against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013 and, up at the Dallas one-yard line with the clock running, he faked a spike and lunged into the end zone for the win. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

What's your favorite Stafford memory? Shared your picks with us by tweeted at the WRIF at @101WRIF!

Anne EricksonWriter

Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.