The Cousins vs. Stafford Debate
Dustin Baker
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Because of geographical proximity, the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions were crib mates in the NFL West Division back in 1961, onto the NFC Central’s inception in 1967, and then realignment into the NFC North in 2002 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were banished. The teams know each other – intimately.
This bedfellow relationship is probably why comparisons in the player-versus-player vein arise amid the two franchises. The dialogue has incurred Randy Moss vs. Calvin Johnson comparability to Adrian Peterson vs. Barry Sanders spats. There is always something brewing between Minnesota and Detroit – on the field and in the sports chatter.
So it goes for Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford. The longtime Lions signal-caller inspired show-stopping headlines on Championship Weekend when news leaked that he and the Lions organization purportedly reached an amicable divorce. In the coming weeks or months, Stafford will lead a new franchise while Detroit commences a new era with an outwardly violenthead coach and to-be-named-later quarterback.
That dragged Kirk Cousins’ name into the mix (for some reason). Again, this is likely due to the NFC North fodder that is inescapable. And after all, this is sports – it’s what we do. Cousins and Stafford also commanded equivalence when the current Vikings quarterback played in Washington. Both Cousins and Stafford were leaders of franchises not lately known for winning cultures.
On the whole, Cousins and Stafford are strikingly similar quarterbacks. Stafford gets the reputational nod for unknown reasons whereas Cousins’ statistics are loftier. Let’s take a peek.
Early Pace
An interesting fact for starters – Cousins and Stafford were born 194 days apart, but Stafford has been a starter for six more seasons. Stafford became the Lions franchise savior in 2009 while Cousins was not formally recognized for leadership duty until 2015.
Cousins has started 104 games in his career; Stafford checks in at 165. Through 100 career starts, here is how the numbers stack up:
Here, Cousins and Stafford are buddies in passing yards and touchdowns. Stafford was not as accurate during the infancy of his career, and a bit of that is attributable to his fondness for throwing the ball deep to Calvin Johnson. Downfield pass attempts are less reliable than underneath throws.
The only jump-off-the-page differentiation is the interceptions. Stafford had an early knack for gifting those to opponents more so than Cousins. But Cousins was not angelic in the turnover realm – he fumbled more. Ultimately, Stafford turned the ball over 11 more times in his first 100 starts than Cousins. If forced to choose a smoking gun, this is about the only distinction.
As of Late
Fast forward to 2020 and some recency. In the here and now, the men statistically separate to an extent.
During each player’s last 50 starts, this is the respective production:
For Stafford, this is life without Calvin Johnson. With Cousins, this is crisp new scenery with Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, and Justin Jefferson. Stafford’s passing accuracy sharpened with maturity — but so did Cousins’. Both quarterbacks tossed picks at almost an identical clip, yet Cousins fumbled a few more times. Cousins, in return, compensates with extra touchdowns – both passing and rushing. And because he remains more accurate than Stafford, his passer rating supersedes that of the Lions signal-caller.
Cousins is +17 in the overall touchdown metric, which is quite noteworthy considering the 50-game sample size. Stafford moderately redeems himself with a +4 (in a good way) turnover advantage.
In the end for the as-of-late adjudication, Cousins is slightly better. But not by much.
The Spider-Man Meme
This debate of the men’s skillsets surfaces like a Whac-a-Mole a few times per year. Camps divide and are equally as vocal about their candidate. As a matter of numbers, the edge indisputably is allotted to Cousins. On likability, sympathy, and reputation, Stafford seems to get the benefit of the doubt.
Truth be told, the Spider-Man meme is applicable. Insert Stafford onto the 2020 Vikings, and the team probably finishes in the ballpark of 7-9. Drop Cousins into the Lions locker room, and their Matt Patricia-infused woes might have persisted.
Here are some final, easy takeaways: Cousins is more accurate. Stafford accrues a few more passing yards. Cousins is accountable for more touchdowns. Stafford is perceived to have the stronger arm. Cousins fumbles more frequently. Stafford is more careless with his interceptions.
Because of his trade settlement with Detroit, though, Stafford will earn a chance to undertake what Cousins did in 2018 – start fresh with a new team and hope to silence narratives.