If the Lions continue to start Matthew Stafford, there's a chance he would end up being Peyton Manning, who went from going 3-13 and taking every snap his rookie year in 1998 to becoming one of the seven best signal-callers in football history.

I'm don't see that happening. Manning came out as a senior. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy race and beat virtually every team on his schedule outside of Gainesville and Lincoln.

Stafford came out after his junior year. His Georgia teams, outside of an inflated preseason ranking last summer, were average at best. Had Stafford waited until 2010 to enter the draft, he would have likely been, at the highest, the fifth quarterback selected.

That's why Daunte Culpepper should start the remaining 14 games for the Lions. Stafford isn't ready. There's no harm in sitting the young fella and giving him a chance to analyze defenses and coverages from the sidelines for a season or two. Some people argue you can't sit him because of the $72 million tied into him. I say that's the reason you should sit him. Don't worry about instant gratification. Worry about getting a solid return on a long-term investment.

If Stafford starts all 16 games this season, the Lions could go 2-14 at best, leaving them in the running for the No. 1 overall pick. That means Detroit would have to shell out another, say, $65 million ($30-$35 million guaranteed) on someone who has never taken a snap in the NFL.

If Culpepper starts, here are the games I say the Lions have a REALISTIC shot at winning. He doesn't even have to put up stellar numbers in order for them to win these games. All he has to do is not kill them.

Sunday vs. Washington - This one is really a pipedream since I know Stafford will get the start. I know the Redskins have beaten on the Lions throughout the series history (40 games) like Chris Partlow beat on Bug's dad in The Wire, but these aren't the same Redskins. No one has confidence in quarterback Jason Campbell, who led Washington to a win over Detroit last season. If this game were played in Washington, I wouldn't give the Lions a shot in Haides at winning.

Nov. 1 vs. St. Louis - This is the game everybody has circled as the game the Lions finally get a W. I know it's early, but through two games (20 offensive drives), the Rams have scored 7 points.

Nov. 22 vs. Cleveland - Cleveland has less playmakers than the Lions. Don't give me Braylon Edwards. The only way he may ever have another good game his entire career is if every team on Cleveland's schedule for the next decade or so signs Jaren Hayes week by week.

Dec. 6 at Cincinnati - I'd be willing to bet that by kick-off this game, at least 35 percent of Cincinnati's starters will be locked up somewhere.

That's four wins. Four more than last year.

Those four wins are difference between paying Russell Okung (Oklahoma State Offensive Tackle) or Taylor Mays (USC Safety) $65 million and $35 million.

I know because of revenue sharing, no matter if no one shows up to Ford Field, the Lions would still make money hand over fist. But you have to be able to field a team. Paying two number one overall picks hampers that process.

So start Daunte Culpepper and let Matthew Stafford sit and learn for a while.

Or watch the fans continue to revolt.