Detroit Lions Notes

Lions notes: Matthew Stafford is clutch, Golden Tate is back

Notes, stats and reactions to the Lions’ 20-17 victory over Washington.

By Jeremy Reisman@DetroitOnLion Oct 24, 2016, 11:00am EDT

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

Let’s start with Matthew Stafford, because he’s rightfully at the center of the conversations. First, there’s this little fact about his play at the end of games:

Mr. Clutch? Matthew Stafford has 5 game-winning TD passes in final :30 of 4th Qtr – most by any QB since 1970 merger, via @EliasSports
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) October 24, 2016

First it was Nate Burleson. Then it was Peter Schrager. Now the entire crew of “Good Morning Football” is fawning over Stafford after Sunday’s win:

“We have to give respect to Stafford & the Lions right now” @PSchrags & #GMFB team talk Stafford & @Lions https://t.co/SV2Ytno2JD
— GMFB (@gmfb) October 24, 2016

Stafford also got a big chunk of coverage in Peter King’s weekly MMQB column in a segment called, “Matthew Stafford, the dominant one.”

To all the Stafford doubters out there:

He'll be lost without Calvin they said, Calvin made this guy they said, He won't even get 4 wins this season they said. #9God pic.twitter.com/sJzwx2Rwlr
— Detroit Moments (@DetroitMoments) October 23, 2016

Next up, reports of Golden Tate’s demise were a bit premature. The Detroit Lions receiver now leads all wide receivers in yards after the catch:

After a slow start to the season, Golden Tate leading all WRs in YAC with 284 yards.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) October 24, 2016

A lot of Lions players accomplished something they’ve never done on Sunday:

Sunday's win marked firsts for many @Lions...

Zenner - 1st career TD
Copeland - 1st career FF
Bush - 1st career sack
Hyder - 1st career FR
— Eamonn Reynolds (@Eamonn_Reynolds) October 24, 2016

It’s Monday. Time for some slowlights:

Here’s your post-game press conference roundup: Matthew Stafford, Golden Tate, Jim Caldwell, Kerry Hyder, Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, Anquan Boldin.

And here’s a look at the Lions’ locker room after Sunday’s win over Washington:

Inside the #Lions' locker room after the win

: https://t.co/mO8gpRyr0Y pic.twitter.com/G40cSScOKY
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 23, 2016

Pride of Detroit Direct

Sign up now for a 7-day free trial of Pride of Detroit Direct, with exclusive updates from Jeremy Reisman on the ground at Allen Park, instant reactions after each game, and in-depth Lions analysis from film expert Jon Ledyard.