Detroit Lions Week 8 player of the game: 5 Game Ball candidates vs. Giants

The Detroit Lions had a lot of impressive performances on Sunday that helped get them the win against the New York Giants. They got big plays in every phase of the game, and there were certainly individuals that stood out in Week 8 that deserve some recognition.

But before we get into this week’s five Game Ball candidates, let’s take a look at our Game Ball standings through six games. Reminder: First place in Game Ball voting each week earns a player three points, second place in voting gets two points, and third place gets a single point.

Here’s a look at the leaderboard thus far.

Matthew Stafford - 8
Marvin Jones Jr. - 6
Justin Coleman - 5
Kenny Golladay - 4
T.J. Hockenson - 3
Jamal Agnew - 2
Tyrell Crosby - 2
Matt Prater - 2
Devon Kennard - 1
Taylor Decker - 1
Kerryon Johnson - 1
Sam Martin - 1

And here are the Detroit Lions Game Ball candidates for the Giants game:

Kenny Golladay

Stats: 6 catches, 123 yards, 2 TDs

So many times this season, we’ve seen the Detroit Lions offense stall in the second half, giving their opponent an opportunity to get back in the game and complete a fourth-quarter comeback. Kenny Golladay did just about everything in his power to stop that.

In the second half alone, Golladay pulled in five catches for 107 yards and two scores, including this key red-zone touchdown that required incredible concentration both in terms of where his feet are and grabbing the tipped ball.

Matthew Stafford

Stats: 25-of-32, 342 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 129.4 passer rating

It was kind of a rough first half for Matthew Stafford. He took some sacks he shouldn’t have. He threw a terrible ball into double coverage. And he missed a couple of wide-open receivers.

But when you have a second half like this:

You get Game Ball consideration.

I still don’t think it was Stafford best game by any means, but he balled out when Detroit needed him to. At this point, it really looks like Stafford could break a ton of personal records, and if the Lions can somehow turn the corner this year, he could work his way into MVP conversation.

Danny Amendola

Stats: 8 catches, 95 yards

Amendola was a big chain mover early in this game. Eight targets, eight catches, five first downs—including three third-down conversions. Amendola is currently on pace for his best season ever, and he seems like a perfect fit in Detroit right now... at age 33.

Trey Flowers

Stats: 4 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Could this be the game that Trey Flowers turns the corner and becomes the $90 million man the Lions were hoping to see when they signed him?

On one of the most crucial possessions of the game, Flowers got back-to-back sacks, including a strip sack that Daniel Jones was extremely lucky to recover.

Though Flowers was fairly quiet the rest of the game, big players make big plays in big moments, and Flowers certainly fit that bill on Sunday.

Jarrad Davis

Stats: 5 tackles, 1.0 sacks. 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hits, 1 pass defended

Jarrad Davis was an absolute wrecking ball as a blitzer on Sunday, picking up several pressures, two quarterback hits, and this huge play that gave the Lions the lead early:

Davis even made a play or two in coverage, and picked up three solo tackles, too. For a guy that has been under fire a lot lately, this was a big step in the right direction for Davis, even if he left another play or two out there on Sunday.