ALLEN PARK - The bandwagon for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has more people on board now than it did back in September.

Stafford is currently on the front page of NFL.com with New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, New England's Tom Brady and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers He is featured in a story labeled Call to Arms, which highlights the increased amount of passing this season. Many people questioned why he was not named to this year's Pro Bowl earlier this week.

Things sure have changed for Stafford.

Stafford was considered the third best quarterback drafted in 2009 by many observers prior to this season.

Most people were high on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman heading in 2011. Freeman threw for 3,451 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. Tampa Bay won 10 games under Freeman and narrowly missed the playoffs. Many believed this would be Freeman's breakthrough season.

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had more success than Freeman and Stafford entering this season. Sanchez led his team to playoff appearances in two consecutive years and seemed poised for a third. Many believed Sanchez would become an elite quarterback this season and led New York to a Super Bowl.

Then there was Stafford.

As a rookie, Stafford missed two games with a knee injury and later was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Last season, he separated a shoulder in the season opener, returning for two games before re-injuring the shoulder and having season-ending surgery.

"We knew that his injuries weren't going to be injuries that set him back in the future," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "It was that confidence, and knowing that you have that guy that probably had as much to do with it as anything else."

Times have changed.

Freeman has thrown 14 touchdowns and 19 interceptions for a 4-11 team that has lost nine consecutive games. There have been numerous reports stating Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris will lose his job after this season. Only time will tell if a possible coaching change will help or hinder Freeman.

Sanchez has thrown 25 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season, plus has fumbled 10 times. New York could miss the playoffs, sparking some to believe Sanchez should be replaced.

Now Stafford stands alone.

Stafford has completed 385 of 604 passes for 4,518 yards and 36 touchdowns against just 14 interceptions this season. His 96.6 passer rating was sixth-highest in the NFL.

More importantly, his team is 10-5 and has clinched a playoff spot. He has thrown nine touchdowns and no interceptions in Detroit's previous three games. Stafford is one of the hottest NFL quarterbacks and Detroit appears to peaking heading into this year's playoffs.

"Matt's a pretty thick-skinned guy, he doesn't bow to outside opinions or outside pressure," Schwartz said. "If you're going to be a quarterback, if you're going to be a kicker, if you're going to be a head coach in this league, you better be prepared for stuff like that and he is.

"People questioned ... they had no idea what injuries he was going through. I mean, they had absolutely zero information to go on to even make that assessment. It makes it easy to not pay attention when you know people that are questioning that or aren't involved in the decision. I mean, it's a lot different than if you're doctor to people you're going to are expressing those kind of concerns."

Now there is only one concern.

The amount of room remaining on Stafford's bandwagon.