Lions' Matthew Stafford might head to Pro Bowl

The Detroit Lions haven't had a Pro Bowl quarterback in 43 years, but Matthew Stafford could end that drought next week.

Stafford was fourth alternate at the quarterback position when voting was announced last month, and there's a good chance he'll play as a fill-in in the game.

Already, first alternate Drew Brees is in the game as a replacement for injured Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and second alternate Philip Rivers has been offered a spot in place of either Tom Brady or Andrew Luck.

Brady and Luck square off in the AFC championship game this week, and the winner won't be eligible for the NFL's postseason all-star game because his team will be in the Super Bowl.

All three of the quarterbacks initially chosen for the game are battling injuries that could force them to withdraw as well.

Aaron Rodgers, who could represent the NFC in the Super Bowl if his Green Bay Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, has been hobbled by a strained calf the last few weeks. Peyton Manning reportedly has a torn quad and is mulling whether to retire from the NFL. And Tony Romo did not practice on a Wednesday all season because of rib and back injuries.

Russell Wilson, the other alternate in front of Stafford at the quarterback position, also could be ineligible for the game if his Seattle Seahawks beat Rodgers' Packers this week to reach the Super Bowl.

If two of Manning, Rodgers and Romo pull out of the game, as expected, Stafford would head to Arizona for Pro Bowl festivities next week.

Greg Landry was the last Lions quarterback selected for the Pro Bowl after the 1971 season, the longest drought in the NFL.

Stafford threw for fewer yards this year (4.257) than he has at any point since his injury-shortened 2010 season, but he completed over 60% of his passes for just the second time in his career and cut down on his turnovers (15, including 12 interceptions) after throwing 19 interceptions last season.

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said last week that Stafford had an "outstanding season" this fall while leading the Lions to an 11-5 record and wildcard berth.

"I think it was probably the second-best season that he's had here with us," Mayhew said. "(His) 2011, obviously, was exceptional with 41 touchdown passes and 5,000 yards passing. This year was an outstanding season for him, in my opinion.

"It's interesting that when 2012 and 2013 he's throwing for a lot of yards and people are saying, 'Well, the real stat that matters for a quarterback is winning football games.' And then this year, we win a lot of games and people are unhappy with the stats. So, I think winning the games is the most important thing."

In 2011, when Stafford set franchise passing marks with 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns, Stafford was the third alternate at quarterback in the NFC. Last year, the game switched from AFC vs. NFC format to take the best players at every position in the league.

Wide receiver Calvin Johnson already has pulled out of this year's game because of injury, leaving Ndamukong Suh and Glover Quin as the only Lions representatives currently slated to play in the Pro Bowl.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.