Matthew Stafford tops several Pro Bowl snubs lists

Matthew Stafford may have been announced as a Pro Bowl alternative, but many feel that wasn’t doing the Detroit Lions quarterback justice after the year he’s having. “Pro Bowl snubs” is always good media fodder after the rosters are announced, and a pattern started to emerge this year after flipping through a handful of them. A majority of analysts think Stafford was robbed this year. Here’s a selection:

Sports Illustrated columnist Andy Benoit:

NFL.com’s Conor Orr:

Still, how about eight fourth-quarter comebacks and eight game-winning drives? Those staggering figures are superior to Derek Carr's totals and Carr deservedly made it to another Pro Bowl this season. Most good NFL quarterbacks need multiple seasons to put up this kind of crunch-time résumé. But Stafford is also playing well beyond the statistics. Jim Bob Cooter's offense has given him the freedom to become the passer the Lions initially drafted back in 2009.

SB Nation’s James Brady:

Completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,720 yards, 22 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, Stafford is running an effective, efficient Lions offense that doesn’t simply rely on huge splash plays like the team has in recent years. Eight fourth-quarter comebacks, eight game-winning drives, and Stafford’s somewhat pedestrian touchdown numbers are much easier to digest.

He has looked more dynamic than ever, and the fact that he isn’t on the roster is startling.

FOX Sports’ Nunzio Ingrassia:

So if Brees was left off because of his team’s record, why was Stafford’s name not called? The Lions are first in the NFC North thanks in large part to Stafford, who has had a knack for guiding Detroit to comeback wins this season. Stafford's snub is even more shocking because no Lions made the team this year.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox:

One notable name absent from the NFC's Pro Bowl roster was Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. He's passed for 3,720 yards and 22 touchdowns with eight interceptions while helping engineer eight fourth-quarter comebacks.

Part of the reason Stafford likely lost out to Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Dak Prescott is basic statistics. Take a look at a comparison between the four:

Rodgers: 64.9 comp %, 3781 yards, 32 TDs, 7 INTs, 100.3 passer rating
Ryan: 68.6 comp %, 4336 yards, 32 TDs, 7 INTs, 114.8 passer rating
Prescott: 67.7 comp %, 3418 yards, 20 TDs, 4 INTs, 103.2 passer rating
Stafford: 66.3 comp %, 3720 yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs, 95.8 passer rating

As you can see, all three lead Stafford in most statistical categories, including the all-encompassing passer rating. Stafford certainly has less help around him than Matt Ryan, who has the best offensive weapons of the group, and Stafford definitely has less help in the form of a running game and offensive line like Prescott.

But apparently that, and the insane number of comeback wins, was not enough to sway voters. Instead, Stafford will have to back his way into the Pro Bowl, like he did in 2014.