During the bye week that conveniently comes at the midway point of the season, we’ll review each Detroit Lions position group.

Major moves: None.

What has worked: Matthew Stafford has been excellent in the final few minutes of games this season, leading the Lions to come-from-behind wins the last two weeks. For whatever reason, he has been able to become more focused or more determined during those final few minutes. This has been the Stafford the Lions paid oodles of money to and who they expect him to become on a more consistent basis.

Matthew Stafford is on pace for his best season since leading the Lions to the playoffs in 2011. AP Photo/Duane Burleson

Stafford has actually put together a decent season. He has his best completion percentage (61.2) since the Lions’ playoff season in 2011 and second-best to date in his career, based off end-season numbers. His seven interceptions put him on pace for 14 in 2014 -- the fewest he would throw in a season where he played at least 10 games. He is also on pace for the second-highest QBR of his career, just behind the playoff season in 2011.

Stafford has looked much better with his feet this season, either with his touchdown run against the Giants or what he did against Atlanta, stepping up in the pocket to buy a second to find Golden Tate on a deep touchdown pass. He has been much more aware in that area this year.

Oh, and he has remained healthy and hasn’t been rattled by the multitude of injuries around him, so that’s a bonus.

What has not: Stafford has seemed to take a while to get into a rhythm in games, often putting the Lions in those early holes he then has to drive his team back out of. He also has stared down receivers a little bit, but he has had a rotating cast to deal with.

Most of Stafford’s issues this season might not be all his fault, either. Beyond the ton of injuries as mentioned above (every major skill position pass catcher other than Tate has missed a game this season), the offensive line has not given him nearly as much protection as last season. This has forced him into more sacks -- 24 and counting -- and into some rushed throws and tough decisions.

Prognosis: Stafford has all of the tools to improve as the season goes along and make sure his strong start this season doesn’t fall away like his strong start a season ago did. The schedule becomes markedly harder after the break, with trips to Arizona and New England looming in Weeks 11 and 12. But Stafford also should get Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush and the tight ends he’s comfortable with back.

If that happens, he should finally have all of the options the Lions set him up to have, and it’ll be interesting to see if the experience he now has with Tate and the rotation everywhere else benefits him when he gets everyone back.

As long as Stafford stays healthy and the line can keep him from getting pressured too often, he should have a strong second half.