Lions Game Ball Of The Week: Calvin Johnson

by Sean Yuille on Dec 19, 2011 6:27 PM EST in Detroit Lions Opinion

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 18: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches a fifty one yard touchdown pass over Tyvon Branch #33 of the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on December 18, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Just because Matthew Stafford received the first Detroit Lions game ball of the week doesn't mean he got the only one. I said yesterday that two would be handed out for the win over the Oakland Raiders, and I'm sure it surprises nobody that Calvin Johnson is the recipient of the other game ball.

Johnson had been quiet for the last month or so after getting off to an amazing start in the first half of the season. He had 11 touchdowns in the first eight games but only one in the five after that. On Sunday, he exploded for nine catches, 214 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score. He had three total catches on the Lions' final offensive drive of the game, including one for 48 yards that set up the go-ahead score.

On the season, Johnson is now up to 1,335 yards, 14 touchdowns and 81 catches. Although his production did slow down a bit in the month prior to Sunday's game, it looks like Johnson is kicking things into high gear again, which is great news for the Lions.

When Johnson plays well, the Lions play well. Just look at this stat: Johnson has caught two touchdowns in five games this season, and the Lions won all of them. In games that Johnson had only one touchdown catch, the Lions are 2-2. In games when he was kept out of the end zone, the Lions are 2-3. Needless to say, when Johnson scores a couple touchdowns, it's a good sign for the Lions' hopes of winning.

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Final drive

The craziest thing is he accounted for 92 yards on the final drive when you figure in the 17 yards on the pass interference call

by TrueToHonoluluBlue on Dec 19, 2011 6:53 PM EST reply actions

He was unstoppable on the final two drives

I think the only ball thrown his way that he didn’t come down with on those two drives was when he got the interference call. If you are going to single cover him, you might as well not cover him at all.

I couldn't think of a better signature.

by atvman on Dec 19, 2011 7:10 PM EST reply actions

Don't tell that to Cris Carter

"We’re trying to determine greatness and impact on the NFL game. Calvin Johnson, you don’t have to double-team him to take him out of the game. Now, I made eight Pro Bowls. I made it with five different quarterbacks. They weren’t always great. So I don’t want to hear the excuse that I’m not playing with a great quarterback.

"Larry Fitzgerald the last couple years, he hasn’t played with a great quarterback, but he still gets the numbers. He still gets open. He still makes plays week in and week out. I don’t want to hear about the quarterback situation. That’s all part of the process. Now, [Calvin Johnson] is a good player. He’s just not great yet."

'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela

"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011

by Nate D. on Dec 19, 2011 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

What a tool.

THE SILVER CRUSH!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Silver-Crush/228748293807946

by Eddie Apoc on Dec 19, 2011 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Canton come calling yet?

Oh, so sorry Crissie!

by sterankofan on Dec 19, 2011 7:53 PM EST up reply actions

Cris who?

Oh, yeah, that old guy who couldn’t TOUCH what Calvin did yesterday, dats who.
CCCCAAAALLLLVVVVIIIINNN!!! A man among men out there.

by LionsD on Dec 19, 2011 7:27 PM EST reply actions

Looks like he'll end up with at least 16 TD's and at least 1500 yards.

All while double teamed. Suck on THAT Carter. I really hope he gets over 100 a game average for the year, that last game bumped him to 95.5 yards a game.

by LionsD on Dec 19, 2011 7:30 PM EST reply actions

There is a sarcastic joke here

Where I claim how stafford deserves the game ball. But I’m not being that big of an ass right now LOL

THE PHONZ ~ I LOVE THAT GUY
PCP 4 LIFE

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by The Profiler on Dec 19, 2011 7:40 PM EST reply actions

I almost made that joke

But figured it would look stupid as the first comment.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Dec 19, 2011 8:20 PM EST up reply actions

Oh that comeback

No F-ing way I saw that one coming with how badly the offense was performing, zero run game and pass protection all game and then KABOOM, that was the loudest I’ve shouted in quite some time, I probably sounded like Gabby Sidibe on the toilet with all my pounding and screaming to the neighbors.

Also I love whoever writes the PoD tweets during the game, the disgust can be felt with each tweet and only furthers my depression at times during these games.

Also, it’s too early obviously to talk playoffs, yeah yeah yeah all the idiots that believe in karma or jinxes will yell at me but Tebow be damned I want that SF rematch

by Meth Chef Jeff on Dec 19, 2011 7:51 PM EST reply actions

there are some real stupid people out their.carter is one but.....

just read an article on bleacher report(apologizing already) dumbass writer says lions will never win a super bowl with schwartz as the coach.how many coaches ever win a super bowl?talks about his record being shitty but that hes done a great job turning this team around.make up you fucking mind! stupid

Matt millen:He puts the oron in moron and the upid in dumb.

by awayfromthepride on Dec 19, 2011 7:55 PM EST reply actions