The Detroit Lions didn’t do nearly enough to get the win on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. Their defense was porous, their offense too mistake prone, and the coaching staff certainly didn’t do the team any favors.
Still, there were a couple of Lions players that stood out on Sunday and should be given some recognition, because we like living on the sunny side every now and then. It helps soothe the pain a little.
Anyways, as always, I will provide five Game Ball candidates. Your vote decides on the winner. The top three vote-getters will receive Game Ball points (first place = 3 points, second place = 2 points, third place = 1 point), and we’ll keep standings throughout the season.
Here are the Game Ball standings through eight weeks:
Matthew Stafford - 11
Marvin Jones Jr. - 6
Kenny Golladay - 6
Justin Coleman - 5
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
Trey Flowers - 1
Here are this week’s candidates
Matthew Stafford
Stats: 26-of-41, 406 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Though Stafford cooled off in the second half, he was electric for most of the game on Sunday. His downfield ball continues to be on point, and this was his statline well into the second quarter: 11-of-14 for 193 yards, 2 TDs and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
Despite being put in tough situations all day behind a bad (but better) running game and a leaky offensive line, Stafford continues to put up stellar play. It’s a shame he has to play literally perfect ball to get the win.
Kenny Golladay
Stats: 4 catches, 132 yards, 1 TD, 1 birthday
For the first time in his career, Kenny Golladay had back-to-back 100-yard games. While he only caught four passes on the day, he made the most of them, including this fantastic catch-and-run for a score:
The Birthday Boy ‼️ @kgxix pic.twitter.com/K7leTZdRTn
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 3, 2019
Marvin Jones Jr.
Stats: 8 catches, 126 yards, 1 TD
Just watch:
WOW. @MarvinJonesJr pic.twitter.com/gJltLwhXBK
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 3, 2019
what?
Stafford ➡️ Jones = @MarvinJonesJr #OnePride pic.twitter.com/xXcfR222w3
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 3, 2019
WHAT?
Marvin Jones with a catch to keep the drive alive #OnePride #DetroitLions #DETvsOAK pic.twitter.com/W42V4EFoJ5
— Off The Field Podcast (@OTF___Podcast) November 3, 2019
WHAT?
J.D. McKissic
Stats: 4 rushes, 32 yards; 3 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD
McKissic may be the best running back the Lions have with Tra Carson and Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve. McKissic has been a nice receiving threat this year, but he was also very efficient on the ground this game.
Throw in McKissic’s first touchdown of his Lions career, and you’ve got a pretty nice day for a Lions running back—which is something I did not think I’d be saying after this game.
We're all tied in Oakland!
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2019
Stafford tosses his third TD of the game to even the score. #DETvsOAK
: FOX
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/GjhTr4sGG6 pic.twitter.com/dmHF4bbh5J
It should be noted that McKissic’s fumble (though credited to Stafford) proved costly early in the game.
Darius Slay
Stats: 3 tackles
The defense was awful on Sunday, but Darius Slay’s performance was solid, even if there is nothing on the box score to suggest it. Derek Carr completely avoided Slay all game, which is a testament to how well the Lions elite corner played on Sunday.
It wasn’t a flashy performance, but Slay did just about everything in his power to stop the Raiders offense, which is more than anyone else on that side of the ball can say.
Poll
Who gets the Week 9 game ball?
This poll is closed
-
53%
Matthew Stafford
-
9%
Kenny Golladay
-
30%
Marvin Jones Jr.
-
2%
J.D. McKissic
-
3%
Darius Slay