Detroit Lions Week 7 player of the game: 5 Game Ball candidates vs. Vikings

Some weeks in the NFL, it’s a pretty easy task naming the player of the game in a matchup. And on a rare occasion, that player of the game may actually come from the losing team.

That may certainly be the case in Week 7’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions ended up losing 42-30, but one of their players had a performance worthy of national recognition.

But before we get into him and the other four Game Ball candidates for the Lions, let’s check in on the Game Ball standing through five games.

Note: First place in Game Ball voting is worth three points. Second place is worth two. Third place is worth one.

Matthew Stafford - 6
Justin Coleman - 5
Kenny Golladay - 4
T.J. Hockenson - 3
Marvin Jones Jr. - 3
Jamal Agnew - 2
Tyrell Crosby - 2
Matt Prater - 2
Devon Kennard - 1
Taylor Decker - 1
Kerryon Johnson - 1

Alright, let’s get into it.

Marvin Jones Jr.

Stats: 10 catches, 93 yards, 4 TDs

We’ve joked in the past about Marvin Jones being Xavier Rhodes’ dad, mostly for this highlight play a few years ago, but on Sunday, he son’d the entire Vikings secondary. Jones caught 10 of 13 passes thrown his way, and was Detroit’s magical cure to the red zone issues that plagued this offense in previous weeks.

If you wanted to skip to the poll at the end and vote right now, I wouldn’t blame you.

Matthew Stafford

Stats: 30-for-45, 364 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 111.7 passer rating

Stafford wasn’t amazing in this game, but against a phenomenal Vikings defense he had one of his best statistical outputs yet. Stafford made some clutch plays, found some open receivers, and—for the most part—avoided the Vikings pass rush.

If you care about ESPN’s QBR—which grades performances on a 100-point scale—Stafford posted a phenomenal 88.8 rating. When Detroit needed a big play, Stafford made one more often than not.

Danny Amendola

Stats: 8 catches, 105 yards

Ever since his chest injury, Amendola has been pretty quiet. In fact, after a 104-yard debut in Detroit, he had only managed 43 receiving yards in three games combined.

But Amendola was a big chain-mover on Sunday, pulling in five first downs on his eight catches, including a huge 36-yard play early in the game. This was Amendola’s 10th 100-yard game of his career, which is pretty amazing considering he’s been in the league since 2009.

J.D. McKissic

Stats: 5 carries, 29 yards; 2 catches, 31 yards

When Kerryon Johnson went down with an injury, McKissic came in seamlessly and did a pretty good job as tailback. Additionally, he remains a big-play threat in the receiving game. On the very first drive of the game, McKissic pulled in a huge 22-yard catch that converted a tough third-and-7 situation.

For someone added just before the season started, McKissic has carved himself out a nice little role in Detroit’s potent offense.

Sam Martin?

Stats: 3 punts, 150 yards, 2 inside the 20-yard line

I’m not going to lie, I ran out of options here. It’s hard when one entire side of the ball played like dookie. I wasn’t going to put a defensive player on here, so Sam Martin and his three punts earns him a Game Ball candidacy. He’s been fine this year.