I really don't think tempo is the issue. Last minute drives are when Matt succeeds because Matt realizes that he needs to get the ball to the open man, not just try to feed his favorite target. He actually works through his progressions and normally makes a good read. That's also why the offense kicks into high gear when we're down big. It's not because the D is relaxing, it's because Matt is forced to not force the ball...if that makes sense. He gets to throw it to the Ross's and Fullers of the world and even use his TEs. In turn, that opens up Tate and CJ. And then they make plays.
People on here complain about the play calling and how we're not going down field. That's not on Lombardi. That's a Stafford thing. The ball is snapped, he drops back, looks at CJ - not open - and immediately checks down to a 2 yard pass to whoever the fuck is closest to him. Occasionally, he'll just force it to Calvin. That's why you see CJ getting hurt so much and having 10-15 targets a game and only 5 or 6 catches. Matt hangs him out to dry and forces him to make a play on the ball instead of giving him an easy catch. If you don't believe me, watch any replays of Lions games this year. That "drop" is a perfect example. He only had to throw it in front of Calvin and it might have been a touchdown. Instead, he threw a ball that CJ had to stop for and kill any chances of getting YAC. Sure, he should have caught the ball. Definitely should have. But that doesn't change the fact that it was a shitty throw.
Plenty of down field routes for Matt to choose from, but he panics and takes the easy 2 or 3 yards instead of taking another second to see if the 10 or 15 yard route can get open.
