By Rich Tandler
There is a lot of debate over the significance Matt Flynn’s performance in the Packers’ regular season finale when he passed for 480 yards and six touchdown in Green Bay’s 45-41 win over the Lions. Some say it is a sign that he can be a top quarterback in the league. Others are saying that such a performance could be a fluke.
You never know for sure, of course, but there is reason to believe that such a game is a solid sign that Flynn will be a very good quarterback.
Out of the thousands of NFL games played since 1960 there are only seven in which a quarterback has thrown for over 470 yards and for over five touchdowns. Two of those performances came in that Green Bay-Detroit game. The QB opposite Flynn, Matthew Stafford, passed for 520 yards and five TD’s.
You have heard of the other five quarterbacks. Four of them—Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, and Y. A. Tittle—are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The fifth is Peyton Manning.
Flynn’s performance does not guarantee that he will go to the Hall of Fame or even that he will be a quality NFL starter. He may or may not be the answer to the Redskins' quarterback woes. But if such a game was possible due to a fluke, doesn’t it seem likely that a run-of-the-mill quarterback would have done it by now?
Just something to ponder.
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