Dallas and the Lions' QB have a lot riding on this game. Whoever loses is going to face a new wave of criticism and could easily not be the started in a year or two. Romo's playoff/big game struggles are well known, and if he shits the bed at home today it's gonna be ugly. Whereas Stafford has never won a truly big game/meaningful in his life. If he shits the bed, or if the offense looks poor as it has for 13 of the 16 weeks of the season...the clock will start ticking on his career here.
Every single big off-season move the Lions made was aimed at improving Stafford. We brought in Jim Caldwell, who worked extensively with Peyton Manning. We brought in the Broncos QB coach. We signed Golden Tate. And while he cut down on his turnover amount, he only threw for 22 TDs. Multiple games resulted in an average or below average QB rating. He ranks quite low on most QB measuring statistics this year outside of yards. The next step people assumed he'd take did not happen. I honestly assumed he'd come close to replicating his amazing 2011 season where he looked like an elite QB. Nah.