It’s amazing what having a healthy 
With a 14-yard touchdown grab from Stafford in the second quarter against the Chargers on Saturday, Johnson tied Cloyce Box’s (1952) team record for touchdown receptions in a season.
There are only seven performances in NFL history that have matched or topped all of Johnson’s numbers this season.
It’s no coincidence that at the same time, Stafford is having the finest season of any quarterback in team history.
Stafford has set franchise marks for completions (385), yards (4,518) and touchdowns (36) this season.
The NFL has seen it’s fair share of terrific quarterback wide receiver combos. From Joe Montana and Jerry Rice to Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin to Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, there have been many dynamic duos in the league.
Stafford and Johnson have a long way to go before reaching that type of elite status, but it’s safe to say that if they remain together and healthy they’re well on their way.
The first play of Saturday’s 38-10 victory over the Chargers is a good indicator of how far these two have come together.
Regardless of the fact that Johnson was double covered, Stafford still had enough confidence in Johnson’s abilities to lob a 46-yard pass into the teeth of coverage for Johnson to make a play on.
That’s something we’ve seen time and time again this year. Anyone who saw the Lions victory over the Cowboys knows what I’m talking about.
Of course, Johnson made the catch to open the game on Saturday and the Lions were off and running.
Like any superhero tandem, Stafford and Johnson are good on their own, but great together.
The best part about this duo for the Lions is that Stafford is 23 years old and Johnson is 26. This is Stafford’s first full season as a healthy starter and he hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential.
Johnson said last week that he couldn’t wait until Stafford has the type of command over the offense that Manning has with the Colts.
In just three short seasons Stafford and Johnson have built a rapport that is one of the catalysts for the Lions earning their first playoff bid since 1999.
If this is just the beginning of a great partnership, the Lions can expect more of the same type of celebrations we saw at Ford Field on Saturday, with Stafford and Johnson being two of the big reasons why.
