Matthew Stafford was playing lights-out in 2019, before the lights went out on his season.
Rejuvenated in Darrell Bevell's new offense, Stafford ranked among the top five quarterbacks in all major categories at the halfway point of the season. He was on pace for 5,000 yards. He had a career-best passer rating of 106.0.
It was sharp turnaround after a disappointing performance in 2018.
Then a back injury in Week 9 snuffed out Stafford's momentum, and effectively ended Detroit's season.
But Stafford's healthy now, and poised to pick up where he left off. He'll be good to go for the start of training camp. And the Lions beefed up his supporting cast this offseason, bringing in a new right tackle in Halapoulivaati Vaitai and a dynamic running back in D'Andre Swift.
It all points toward Stafford having a big 2020 -- and Vegas has taken notice.
Per BetOnline.ag, Stafford has the sixth best odds to win Comeback Player of the Year. He's tied with former Panthers QB Cam Newton at 8-1.
Only five players have better odds: Bears QB Nick Foles (6-1), Bengals WR AJ Green (6-1), Texans DE JJ Watt (5-1), Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski (9-2) and Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (5-2).
Roethlisberger, 38, led the NFL in passing yards in 2018 before missing most of last season with an elbow injury.
Stafford, by the way, is no stranger to Comeback Player of the Year. He won the award in 2011 when he threw 41 touchdowns and guided the Lions to the playoffs the year after a major shoulder injury.