Lions-Giants player of the game: Who gets the game ball?

For the first time in a while, we all witnessed what could accurately be described as a team win for the Detroit Lions. There were a lot of things that went right in all three phases of the game, and while there are plenty of things that didn’t work against the New York Giants, there were more positives than negatives.

But, as always, let’s look at some individual performances from Monday night and give out our weekly game ball.

Before we get to this week’s candidates here’s a look at Game Ball standings after one week of Lions football (remember: 1st in voting gets 3 points, 2nd gets 2, 3rd gets 1)

Week 1 Game Ball standings:

Matthew Stafford - 3
Kenny Golladay - 2
Matt Prater - 1

Now onto this week’s candidates:

Jamal Agnew

Stats: 3 punt returns, 101 yards, 1 TD; 1 tackle

There is no doubt that Jamal Agnew had the play of the game. With the Lions offense stuck in neutral and the defense holding on to dear life, Agnew blasted the game wide open with a clutch 88-yard punt return. Just try to only watch it once.

Ezekiel Ansah

Stats: 6 tackles, 3.0 sacks

Ziggy, we’ve missed you so much. For the just the second time in Ezekiel Ansah’s career, he tallied three sacks on the day. Maybe it was against one of the worst left tackles in the league in Ereck Flowers, but Ziggy looked like vintage Ziggy.

Darius Slay

Stats: 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 passes defended

The return of Odell Beckham Jr. was much more a whimper than a roar. Slay was a big reason for that, keeping the star receiver in check for just four catches and 36 yards. But Slay was impressive against whoever lined up against him, and he really came alive in the fourth quarter, breaking up two passes deep in Lions territory, preventing at least one touchdown.

Matt Prater

Stats: 1/1 FG (56-yarder), 3/3 XPs

Last week he booted a monster 58-yarder in the comfy confines of Ford Field. He one-upped himself by blasting a 56-yarder outdoors off and through the uprights. He’s now made more 55+ yard field goals as a Lion than any other player in franchise history. I didn’t think I’d ever utter these words, but move over Jason Hanson.

Eric Ebron

Stats: 5 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD

Ebron disappeared from the gameplan once Detroit relied heavily upon the running game in the second half, but the Lions would have never been in their position had it not been for Eric Ebron. In the first half alone, the Lions tight end was consistently moving the chain and technically had the game’s winning score on a key third down in the red zone.

VOTE: