Pride Of Detroit - Week 9 Monday Night Football: Detroit Lions at Green Bay PackersA Detroit Lions blog by Lions fans, for Lions fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51601/pod-fav.png2017-11-09T07:00:01-05:00http://www.prideofdetroit.com/rss/stream/163767332017-11-09T07:00:01-05:002017-11-09T07:00:01-05:00Detroit Lions Week 9 Song of the Game: ‘Let it Happen’ by Tame Impala
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Just let it happen.</p> <p id="IuBvnD">The last time I had to pick “Song of the Game,” the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> were coming off of a convincing win over the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> and sat atop the NFC North division with a 3-1 record. I was suckered into believing that by the time I was asked to choose another song, not a whole lot would have changed. Well, I was wrong. </p>
<p id="e2a2XP">The Lions’ running game has somehow gotten worse since last year, despite putting so much time and effort into improving the offensive line, while also having <span>Ameer Abdullah</span> healthy and ready to go. The offense has been frustrating as all hell and the Lions somehow dropped three straight before heading into a “Monday Night Football” matchup against the goddamn <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. </p>
<p id="wGZtjP">- - - </p>
<p id="dxH8gq">It’s a few days until game time and I don’t care who the Packers have at quarterback. Admittedly, I am preparing for the worst. Jeremy sends out his weekly email.</p>
<p id="gL3BX2"><em>Give me your score predictions, guys.</em></p>
<p id="h1pCSI">Alright, I’ve got Packers 17, Lions 16.</p>
<h3 id="srZJNc">Lions-Packers Song of the Game: “Let it Happen” by Tame Impala </h3>
<div id="0CI28N"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ed6UeDp1ek?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="mXgKqs">“<em>... I can hear the alarm</em><br><em>It must be morning”</em></p>
<p id="6pe6fi">It’s Monday now, and I tend to get a little overly optimistic when kickoff approaches. It’s kind of hard not to when you’re presented with Brett Hundley’s stats on the year. Jesus Christ, dude, 244 passing yards on 59 attempts? That’s atrocious. We’ve got this.</p>
<p id="aw7nCa">The game’s started, Packers win the toss and choose to receive, obviously trying to make a statement by putting trust in their shitty excuse for a QB. What are they thinking?</p>
<p id="HrVYLX">Eight minutes later, Hundley’s 15-play drive ends in a blocked field goal because <span>A’Shawn Robinson</span> is awesome and the Packers’ long snapper is not. </p>
<p id="lZMGlG">“<em>... So let it happen, let it happen</em><br><em>it’s gonna feel so good...”</em></p>
<p id="g2DiJI">The Lions get the ball and promptly move it into Green Bay’s territory. Great, how are they going to screw things up this time? Fumble? A run for a loss on third-and-5?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Matthew Stafford delivers a BEAUTIFUL pass to <a href="https://twitter.com/MarvinJonesJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarvinJonesJr</a> for a 25-yard <a href="https://twitter.com/Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lions</a> TOUCHDOWN! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnePride?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnePride</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DETvsGB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DETvsGB</a> <a href="https://t.co/DyJ98r122e">pic.twitter.com/DyJ98r122e</a></p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/927715639862497280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a>
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<p id="A8eD4A">Fuck it, I’m just going to let it all happen. </p>
<div id="iwxMyj"><iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/slyry/playlist/3asFzwwqoi5z0exf32xNdI" style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 380px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p id="wBKwOE"><em>Note: </em><a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/9/26/16365012/detroit-lions-atlanta-falcons-week-3-song-of-the-game-sober-by-tool"><em><strong>Week 3’s choice of “Sober” by Tool</strong></em></a><em><strong> </strong></em><em>has been replaced by “Popcorn” by Hot Butter because Tool is not currently available on the platform and “Popcorn” is hilarious.</em></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/11/9/16625516/detroit-lions-week-9-song-of-the-game-let-it-happen-by-tame-impalaAlex Reno2017-11-08T17:20:01-05:002017-11-08T17:20:01-05:00T.J. Lang mic’d up vs. Packers is the best
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<figcaption>Courtesy of <a href="http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sights-and-Sounds-Week-9-at-Green-Bay/9a85d47f-6533-4fe5-bd3b-6c28429e1863">DetroitLions.com</a></figcaption>
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<p>They should mic up T.J. Lang every week. </p> <p id="8V2n5k"><span>T.J. Lang</span> spent eight season in Green Bay as a member of the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a>. On Monday, he made his triumphant return to Lambeau for the first time as a Detroit Lion. Though Lang predictably downplayed any animosity towards his former team, the production team over at <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> HQ decided to pin the microphone on him for Week 9’s version of “Sights and Sounds.” </p>
<p id="qkXyru">That turned out to be an excellent decision:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Will you tell 21 when he scores to celebrate with me?" - <a href="https://twitter.com/TJLang70?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TJLang70</a><br><br> and from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DETvsGB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DETvsGB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ThinkFordFirst?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThinkFordFirst</a> → <a href="https://t.co/1xzSCbH2hk">https://t.co/1xzSCbH2hk</a> <a href="https://t.co/4Y3KIPWsve">pic.twitter.com/4Y3KIPWsve</a></p>— Detroit Lions (@Lions) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lions/status/928353949593124864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2017</a>
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<p id="6ntSQX">Lang didn’t have anything bad to say about his former team, but he was extremely entertaining to listen to with the mic on. </p>
<p id="toX8vx">Here are my favorite moments:</p>
<ul>
<li id="fFs3Ip">To a coach after <span>Ameer Abdullah</span> celebrated a touchdown without him: “Will you tell 2-1 when he scores to celebrate with me?”</li>
<li id="i5CpeR">To Abdullah: “Will you celebrate with me? I ran all the way into the corner and you just ran right back.” </li>
<li id="K5PHII">To Theo Riddick after the 63-yard screen play: “I tried to get you to slow down.”</li>
<li id="ZFgMp5">
<span>Matt Prater</span>: “Do you need me to carry you off the field?” <br>Lang: “Nah, I need the running backs to slow it down once in awhile.”</li>
<li id="wH3goq">To coaches after the screen: “I was hoping for a lateral, why didn’t they pitch it to me?”</li>
</ul>
<p id="9rcvnX">The video above is just a portion of the eight minutes of on-field audio goodness. <a href="http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Sights-and-Sounds-Week-9-at-Green-Bay/9a85d47f-6533-4fe5-bd3b-6c28429e1863">Click here for the entire thing</a>. </p>
<p id="syeIZ9">Lang has always had a highly entertaining personality. That’s why his <a href="http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Talkin-With-TJ-TJ-Jones/3fee2acb-9106-4e2e-80db-1bd5ab8d0769">“Talkin’ with T.J.”</a> webseries is always a must-watch, and <a href="http://detroit.cbslocal.com/the-valenti-show-tuesdays-with-t-j-lang-podcasts/">his weekly radio spot</a> is also cant-miss. </p>
<p id="7APOrA">Here’s to hoping this isn’t the last time we hear Lang mic’d up this year. </p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/11/8/16625786/t-j-lang-micd-up-on-field-audio-detroit-lions-green-bay-packersJeremy Reisman2017-11-08T11:00:04-05:002017-11-08T11:00:04-05:00PODcast serves up some fried cheese and works on the run game
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<figcaption>Wisconsin-USA TODAY NETWORKS</figcaption>
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<p>Three players who impressed us and a lot of Wisconsinites unhappy with a football team.</p> <p id="JMMnOH">Fried cheese is not always mozzarella sticks. This is an important distinction, but I don't know if it'll go by Jeremy Reisman at all.</p>
<p id="c2Plwg">Either way, plenty to talk about as PODcast gets back its groove. “Monday Night Football” was great, we had turkey holes and missed plays. But besides the broadcast there were actually, yes, football plays being made. Some were made by the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>. Imagine that.</p>
<p id="SohhgU"><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pride-of-detroit-sbnation/id1040380210?mt=2">Download and subscribe on iTunes</a> or <a href="http://stitcher.com/podcast/pride-of-detroit-sbnation">listen on Stitcher</a>.</p>
<div id="8icDOT"><iframe width="100%" height="180px" src="//percolate.blogtalkradio.com/offsiteplayer?hostId=913421&episodeId=10390159" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<h2 id="FrvSXB">This week on the PODcast</h2>
<ul>
<li id="XWgoqf">An educational lesson on last-minute touchdown drives.</li>
<li id="Dbe33n">Turkey hole.</li>
<li id="RYfpRv">Lions gotta establish the run game?</li>
<li id="5kLezD">Why is everyone yelling about <span>Tion Green</span>? What could he bring to the offense? Is this just pining by madmen? We explain.</li>
<li id="2YZYce">Plenty of schadenfreude about the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> here, especially as they melt down.</li>
<li id="PRpJqW">A legitimate recap and what we think this game means in the long haul for the Lions season.</li>
<li id="ORe1W2">Impress/Depress tackles three outstanding Lions and three Lions that need to step it up if they too want to be outstanding.</li>
<li id="onIbjC">Mailbag is back in a big way.</li>
</ul>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/11/8/16622638/podcast-detroit-lions-green-bay-packers-recap-analysisChris Perfett2017-11-08T09:00:39-05:002017-11-08T09:00:39-05:00PFF recap: Golden Tate, Marvin Jones were the NFL’s top 2 WRs of the week
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<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Lions have themselves a dynamic duo at WR. </p> <p id="0HfsZK">Here’s a recap of what Pro Football Focus thought about performances of some <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> players against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. Be sure to check out PFF for some advanced statistics. Even their free <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fnews%2Fpro-refocused-detroit-lions-30-green-bay-packers-17&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.prideofdetroit.com%2F2017%2F11%2F8%2F16622564%2Fpff-week-9-recap-golden-tate-marvin-jones-were-the-nfls-top-2-wrs-of-the-week" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">“Refocused”</a> articles are quite insightful.</p>
<h3 id="klWQfg">Dueling receivers</h3>
<p id="nMq32a"> </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The top graded WRs in Week 9 <a href="https://t.co/rN1tPNaWwY">pic.twitter.com/rN1tPNaWwY</a></p>— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/927985797436989452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a>
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<p id="qORBuA">That’s right, as the title suggests, <span>Golden Tate</span> and <span>Marvin Jones Jr.</span> reigned supreme in Week 9, garnering the two highest grades of all receivers. When targeting these two receivers, <span>Matthew Stafford</span> finished with a passer rating of 139.6.</p>
<p id="IruSjO">According to PFF, Golden Tate remains a top five receiver in the league with a season-long grade of 85.1. </p>
<h3 id="wGiBz1">Matthew’s masterpiece</h3>
<p id="EqcWde">Matthew Stafford came into this game as just <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/11/2/16600636/lions-notes-matthew-stafford-pff-grade-20th-best-quarterback">the 20th ranked quarterback</a> according to PFF. His season grade was just 75.9.</p>
<p id="yg8Oq8">But on Monday, Stafford had his best game of the season and was absolutely electric on national television. Along with former NFC North quarterback <span>Jay Cutler</span>, Stafford graded out as the best quarterback of the week:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/WesternSouthern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WesternSouthern</a> QB of the Week, powered by PFF, for Week 9 sees a tie between Detroit's Matthew Stafford and Miami's Jay Cutler <a href="https://t.co/xvSPonukH8">pic.twitter.com/xvSPonukH8</a></p>— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinsworthPFF/status/928043292826177536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a>
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<p id="FS3VKF">Perhaps most impressive was Stafford’s 131.5 passer rating while under pressure from the Packers defense. He was also 22-of-26 for 290 yards and a touchdown when he had a clean pocket. He made them pay whether they brought the heat or not.</p>
<h3 id="2Ixf7Z">Offensive line ups and downs</h3>
<p id="NKJbvj">Expectations were just about as low as can be for <span>Brian Mihalik</span>, who made his first two career NFL starts in the past two weeks as Detroit’s left tackle. Against the Packers, he earned the second-highest grade along the Lions’ offensive line with a respectable 71.4</p>
<p id="NLWp6X">When it came to run blocking, however, the entire offensive line failed miserably. <span>Graham Glasgow</span> posted a 72.2 grade in the run blocking department, but the next best grade along the entire offensive line was 45.1 As a result, <span>Ameer Abdullah</span> only received a 32.6 grade, averaging just 0.71 yards before contact on each carry. </p>
<h3 id="CsNBPl">Secondary? More like firstary</h3>
<p id="yiBLBD">The Lions secondary was the star of the show, once again, for the Lions’ defense. <span>DJ Hayden</span> (80.3), <span>Darius Slay</span> (79.6), <span>Glover Quin</span> (76.8) <span>Quandre Diggs</span> (76.5) led the way in grades for the entire defense. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big Play Slay <br><br> ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/bc7xAib8mY">pic.twitter.com/bc7xAib8mY</a></p>— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/927755696342536197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a>
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<p id="nHgEVX">Darius Slay’s recent performance has pushed him to the 12th best cornerback in the league, with a season grade of 85.8. Quin ranks third among all safeties with a 91.2 grade.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lions CB Quandre Diggs was impressive<br><br> ✈️ <a href="https://t.co/Jb7zKUSN1U">pic.twitter.com/Jb7zKUSN1U</a></p>— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/927754479709114368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a>
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<h3 id="mVxibV">Push it</h3>
<p id="XlQYfT">Once again, the Detroit Lions failed to get any sort of push from their defensive line. Detroit’s edge defenders created just six pressures on 77 combined pass rushing attempts. The Lions’ newest addition to the line, <span>Jacquies Smith</span>, graded out poorly with just an overall grade of 43.1. <span>Ezekiel Ansah</span> (47.0) and <span>Anthony Zettel</span> (46.6) weren’t much better. </p>
<p id="PeHCdF">Detroit’s excellent secondary is doing a good job masking the issues up front, but it’s only a matter of time before the lack of pressure swallows this defense whole. We’ve already seen it happen on a few occasions this year.</p>
<p id="hfnRAe"></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/11/8/16622564/pff-week-9-recap-golden-tate-marvin-jones-were-the-nfls-top-2-wrs-of-the-weekJeremy Reisman2017-11-07T11:30:02-05:002017-11-07T11:30:02-05:00Lions-Packers snap counts: Golden Tate makes most of limited snaps
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<img alt="Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Xs3VVA4UvPgia8D6QAPUJXKFTho=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57500859/871062886.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Golden Tate didn’t see the field all that much on Monday, but when he did, he made his presence felt. </p> <p id="USx4F5">Here’s a look at the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/"><strong>Detroit Lions</strong></a>’ snap counts from their Week 9 game against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>.</p>
<h3 id="5fvCMq">Offense:</h3>
<p id="VKWkl1"><strong>Quarterbacks</strong></p>
<p id="bVqvkD"><span><strong>Matthew Stafford</strong></span>: 68 snaps (100%)</p>
<p id="xcQGgG"><strong>Running backs</strong></p>
<p id="GwQEvx"><span><strong>Ameer Abdullah</strong></span>: 33 (49%)<br><span><strong>Theo Riddick</strong></span>: 25 (37%)<br>Dwayne Washington: 11 (16%) — 13 special teams snaps (57%)<br><span><strong>Jamal Agnew</strong></span>: 3 (4%)</p>
<p id="Z9uGAP"><strong>Tight ends</strong></p>
<p id="pAFLbb"><span><strong>Darren Fells</strong></span>: 43 (63%) — 9 (39%)<br><span><strong>Eric Ebron</strong></span>: 35 (51%)<br><span><strong>Michael Roberts</strong></span>: 21 (31%) — 7 (30%)</p>
<p id="Yujnu0"><strong>Wide receivers</strong></p>
<p id="zy5oan"><span><strong>Marvin Jones Jr.</strong></span>: 65 (96%)<br><span><strong>TJ Jones</strong></span>: 50 (74%) — 1 (4%)<br>Golden Tate: 35 (51%)<br><span><strong>Jared Abbrederis</strong></span>: 18 (26%) — 5 (22%)<br><span><strong>Jace Billingsley</strong></span>: 0 (0%) — 7 (30%)</p>
<p id="bVVIsX"><strong>Offensive tackles</strong></p>
<p id="Raev0s">Rick Wagner: 68 (100%) — 7 (30%)<br><span><strong>Brian Mihalik</strong></span>: 62 (91%) — 7 (30%)<br><span><strong>Emmett Cleary</strong></span><strong>: </strong>6 (9%) — 8 (35%)</p>
<p id="Up6eGt"><strong>Guards/centers</strong></p>
<p id="ZoM3RI">Travis Swanson: 68 (100%) — 7 (30%)<br><span><strong>Graham Glasgow</strong></span>: 68 (100%) — 7 (30%)<br><span><strong>T.J. Lang</strong></span>: 68 (100%) — 7 (30%)</p>
<p id="FL82VH"><strong>Observations:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="Ntu0kF">Ameer Abdullah was on pace to grab the highest percentage of snaps all season, but (presumably) because of his fumbles, most of his playing time in the final quarter of the game was split between Theo Riddick and Dwayne Washington</li>
<li id="wRYCjn">Golden Tate saw his lowest percentage of snaps all year on Monday, including the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a> game in which he was injured. That seems surprising considering Tate led the team in receptions (7) and receiving yards (113). It appears the Lions are still taking things slow with his shoulder recovery</li>
<li id="NpuVLd">In his place, TJ Jones and Jared Abbrederis both saw a significant increase in playing time. </li>
</ul>
<h3 id="zDXk6X">Defense:</h3>
<p id="TIiBoU"><strong>Defensive end</strong></p>
<p id="FLkOBA">Anthony Zettel: 38 (64%) — 1 (4%)<br><span><strong>Ezekiel Ansah</strong></span>: 38 (64%) — 1 (4%)<br><span>Jacquies Smith</span>: 29 (49%)<br>Cornelius Washington: 24 (41%) — 3 (13%)</p>
<p id="rxl2d6"><strong>Defensive tackle</strong></p>
<p id="oD6Fud"><span><strong>A’Shawn Robinson</strong></span>: 35 (59%) — 4 (17%)<br><span><strong>Akeem Spence</strong></span>: 33 (56%) -- 1 (4%) <br><span><strong>Jeremiah Ledbetter</strong></span>: 21 (36%) — 5 (22%)<br><strong>Khyri Thornton: </strong>18 (31%) — 3 (13%)</p>
<p id="Dh68Wg"><strong>Linebackers</strong></p>
<p id="EHsF0O"><span><strong>Jarrad Davis</strong></span>: 59 (100%) — 4 (17%)<br>Tahir Whitehead: 35 (59%) — 4 (17%)<br><span><strong>Jalen Reeves-Maybin</strong></span>: 9 (15%) — 12 (52%)<br><span><strong>Nick Bellore</strong></span>: 0 (0%) — 15 (65%)<br>Paul Worrilow: 0 (0%) — 12 (52%)</p>
<p id="7OCixW"><strong>Cornerbacks</strong></p>
<p id="KfoU2L"><span><strong>Darius Slay</strong></span>: 56 (95%) — 3 (13%)<br><span><strong>Quandre Diggs</strong></span>: 50 (85%) — 4 (17%)<br><span><strong>Nevin Lawson</strong></span>: 32 (54%) — 11 (48%)<br><span><strong>DJ Hayden</strong></span>: 30 (51%) — 6 (26%)<br>Teez Tabor: 11 (19%) — 8 (35%)<br><span><strong>Jamal Agnew</strong></span>: 0 (0%) — 13 (57%)</p>
<p id="prJ0Hm"><strong>Safety</strong></p>
<p id="Kgn0ij"><span><strong>Glover Quin</strong></span>: 59 (100%) — 4 (17%)<br>Tavon Wilson: 47 (80%) — 1 (4%)<br><span><strong>Miles Killebrew</strong></span>: 18 (31%) — 16 (70%)<br>Charles Washington: 7 (12%) — 12 (52%)</p>
<p id="2sJ2Qm"><strong>Observations:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="Tm4LRb">The Lions had a much more even rotation along their defensive line this week. Against the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>, guys like Ezekiel Ansah and A’Shawn Robinson were pulling in well over 70 percent of snaps. Those numbers fell at least 10 percent per person against the Packers.</li>
<li id="f15zhD">Detroit went HEAVY on cornerbacks in this game. Four different corners played in at least 50 percent of snaps, while Detroit almost never went with three linebackers on the field. </li>
<li id="SGcbnl">Teez Tabor saw some significant playing time, especially early in the game. Heading into Monday night, Teez had only played three defensive snaps in his rookie year. </li>
</ul>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/11/7/16617958/lions-packers-snap-counts-monday-night-football-golden-tate-teez-taborJeremy Reisman2017-11-07T09:00:11-05:002017-11-07T09:00:11-05:00VIDEO: Glover Quin’s 4th-down stop was a thing of beauty
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>All he does is make plays. </p> <p id="gmO46c">Though the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> led for nearly the entire game, there was a point in the second half where the tides could have turned completely. The <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> trailed 17-3 just halfway through the third quarter and were facing a fourth-and-2 at midfield. A conversion would mean the Packers would likely enter field goal range and could be in danger of making it a one-score game. </p>
<p id="I3WUPL">The Lions defense at this point had been doing okay. They had forced two three-and-outs, but they had also allowed two 12+ play drives for over 55 yards each. Green Bay’s offense hadn’t been demoralized yet, and the game was still very much in reach.</p>
<p id="Rc1Rrb">But then Detroit’s biggest defensive playmaker made his presence felt. <span>Glover Quin</span> diagnosed a play from 15 yards away and closed in before the Packers could even reach the line of scrimmage. </p>
<p id="jxdfte">The Packers ran <span>Randall Cobb</span> in motion, and just as he was passing <span>Brett Hundley</span>, Green Bay’s quarterback took the snap and immediately tipped to towards the crossing receiver. Cobb is one of the Packers’ speediest players, and already with a head of steam, this was a potentially dangerous play from Green Bay.</p>
<p id="rDf8Cg">But Quin was sitting comfortably in his center field position and read the play immediately. For a 31-year-old, Quin’s closing speed was absolutely mind-shattering. </p>
<div id="iwSwBY">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">there it is yeah that's filthy <a href="https://t.co/JUlfgA7LuO">pic.twitter.com/JUlfgA7LuO</a></p>— Kellie Rowe (@kellierowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/kellierowe/status/927736169005289472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a>
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<p id="pAhoHD">Not only was Quin’s play-recognition almost immediate, but his acceleration to full speed happened at a moment’s notice. </p>
<p id="YorwzT">We’ve always known Glover Quin was one of Detroit’s most reliable defenders in pass coverage, but he has really impressed me lately as a run defender. While this play technically goes down as a pass, it speaks to Quin’s instincts, speed and willingness to tackle. </p>
<p id="c75Idm">He is truly a do-everything safety and the Lions are unbelievably lucky to have him. If Glover can keep adding to his statline, he absolutely deserves some defensive player of the year consideration, even though a safety hasn’t won the award since <span>Troy Polamalu</span> in 2010. </p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/11/7/16617104/video-glover-quin-4th-down-stop-highlight-detroit-lions-green-bay-packers-monday-night-footballJeremy Reisman2017-11-07T08:00:10-05:002017-11-07T08:00:10-05:00Lions-Packers report card: Detroit finally puts in a team performance
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<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Lions were firing on all cylinders on Monday Night Football. </p> <p id="B7er4w">After weeks and weeks of hiding their report card from their parents, the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> will be able to display Monday night’s grades proudly on their refrigerator. The Lions dismantled the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> in nearly every way in their most complete performance of the year. Here’s a breakdown of how they graded out.</p>
<h3 id="8QfwME">Quarterback: A</h3>
<p id="vFElF1">It’s hard to imagine <span>Matthew Stafford</span> having a more-perfect performance against the Packers. Typically a good Stafford performance includes a slow start and a big finish, or a down quarter in the third stanza. But Stafford was on point from start to finish, for all four quarters. </p>
<p id="wZBHN4">Stafford put up season highs in passer rating (132.4), completion percentage (78.8) and yards per attempt (10.9). He was absolutely lethal.</p>
<h3 id="XpK5aa">Running backs: D</h3>
<p id="0lL2v0">Things got off to a very promising start for <span>Ameer Abdullah</span>. Detroit finally gave him red zone and third down touches, and Abdullah rewarded them early with a 4-yard touchdown scamper. </p>
<p id="HgULnb">But it was all downhill from there. Abdullah fumbled two times on Monday, once in the red zone, which is absolutely the last thing the Lions need considering their ongoing red zone issues. </p>
<p id="6kLXyJ">In the end, the Lions back combined for 31 carries and just 60 rushing yards. Less than 2 yards per carry is absolutely atrocious and the Packers run defense isn’t even all that good. </p>
<h3 id="XxLFJU">Wide receivers: A+</h3>
<p id="FebDBe"><span>Marvin Jones Jr.</span>, <span>Golden Tate</span> and T.J. Jones combined for 16 catches, 249 yards and two touchdowns on just 22 targets. Detroit’s receivers were getting open, sure-handed and even play-making after the catch. </p>
<p id="PHMB1D">This is the second straight game that the Lions receivers have shown out to be a formidable unit, which is a relief after their early-season struggles.</p>
<h3 id="CfjLL9">Tight ends: B+</h3>
<p id="GK3XzJ"><span>Eric Ebron</span> and <span>Darren Fells</span> didn’t have much of an impact in the passing game, but they didn’t have any negative plays in that regard, either. Ebron hauled in three catches on four targets, gaining 35 yards and two first downs. Fells, too, had a first-down pickup.</p>
<p id="9sOCNA">The two also didn’t stick out for any good or bad reasons as blockers, which is a tick up from typical games.</p>
<h3 id="CQDn3y">Offensive line: B</h3>
<p id="pPt23i">For the second straight game, pass protection was excellent for Matthew Stafford. Detroit was sacked just once on the day, and it came on a gimmick flea-flicker play that was doomed to fail.</p>
<p id="ZXyGQH">But the offensive line gets dinged for more red zone failures in which there were no visible holes available for Detroit’s backs. The Lions’ front five just can’t seem to get any push on the goal line and it resulted in one of the ugliest quarterback sneak attempts I’ve ever seen. </p>
<h3 id="9QMzV8">Defensive line: B-</h3>
<p id="0hEphc">The Lions hadn’t had a sack in two games, and they finally crossed that barrier with three against the Packers. Although one of those came from a safety blitz courtesy of <span>Tavon Wilson</span> and another from linebacker <span>Tahir Whitehead</span>, Detroit was bringing quarterback pressure on a fairly consistent basis. </p>
<p id="Fof4Nm">It wasn’t a breakout performance from anyone on the team, but it was a good overall effort from a unit that has been struggling all year. A step in the right direction, but there is still plenty of room to grow here.</p>
<h3 id="Idp0Xt">Linebackers: C-</h3>
<p id="HMWc7m">Though Tahir Whitehead made a few very good plays, including his first sack of the year and an additional tackle for loss, the linebackers actually struggled a bit against the Packers. </p>
<p id="IX98EA"><span>Jarrad Davis</span> looked a bit hesitant out there and found himself in the wrong gaps on a couple of occasions. Detroit’s linebackers weren’t their typical swarming selves, and as a result, the Packers actually managed to rush for 4.6 yards per carry. Had the Lions offense not gotten out to such a big lead, Green Bay could have controlled the game on the ground.</p>
<h3 id="DEwbQI">Secondary: A-</h3>
<p id="3qiDMS">The Lions just have so many playmakers in their secondary right now. Tavon Wilson is a run-stopping machine. <span>Darius Slay</span> is a lockdown cornerback. <span>Glover Quin</span> is good for at least two game-changing plays a game, and <span>Quandre Diggs</span> is having a career year in the nickel. Even <span>DJ Hayden</span> had himself a night:</p>
<div id="PUiqzN">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DJ Hayden has been ⬇️ so far <a href="https://t.co/0ErI4Xhu1O">pic.twitter.com/0ErI4Xhu1O</a></p>— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/927730925441617920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lions CB Quandre Diggs was impressive<br><br> ✈️ <a href="https://t.co/Jb7zKUSN1U">pic.twitter.com/Jb7zKUSN1U</a></p>— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/927754479709114368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a>
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<p id="3fJ8Lp">The Lions are still trying to figure out some issues with their No. 2 corner position, as <span>Nevin Lawson</span> struggled a bit, but we saw <span>Teez Tabor</span> in the game early. Maybe that role increases as we enter the final half of the season.</p>
<h3 id="qmjkps">Special teams: C+</h3>
<p id="xdqRTp">The Lions really didn’t have any plays that moved the needle on special teams. <span>A’Shawn Robinson</span> did have an early blocked field goal, which prevented the Lions from falling behind on the first possession of the game. However, the Lions’ kick coverage wasn’t all that good (20.0 yards per return), and Detroit’s return game was just bad. </p>
<p id="39hATu"><span>Matt Prater</span> missed a 55-yarder, but that is completely forgivable in 30-degree weather at Lambeau. What isn’t forgivable is Sam Martin’s 0 punting yards. WHAT GIVES, SAM? </p>
<h3 id="w2hFrP">Coaching: A</h3>
<p id="7WJA2P">Despite some of the same red zone issues we saw last week, the Lions’ game plan was masterful considering it was the Packers with the extra week of preparation for this game. The Lions didn’t just control the clock on offense like they did last year, they were finishing drives. Detroit put up points in six of eight drives, and it would have been seven had Prater not missed that field goal.</p>
<p id="XxGS2L">In terms of in-game decisions, you could make an argument that the Lions should have gone for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, but if the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> game taught us anything, it’s that this goal-line offense is really bad and sometimes it’s okay to just take the points. While I typically like going for it in every situation like that, I would have been fine with either decision there. </p>
<p id="4P12gR">As for Jim Bob Cooter, who had been on the hot seat after his past few performances, you can really see him trying to switch things up. For the second week in a row, we saw some brand new plays, including an extremely successful goal-line toss to Ameer Abdullah for Detroit’s second touchdown of the game. </p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/11/7/16617078/lions-packers-report-card-detroit-finally-puts-in-a-team-performanceJeremy Reisman2017-11-07T07:00:05-05:002017-11-07T07:00:05-05:00Lions-Packers player of the game: Who gets the game ball?
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<img alt="NFL: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/plrZ2WD0AqPyiCTmIz9AWkcD3pY=/0x58:3250x2225/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57497485/usa_today_10396417.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Wisconsin-USA TODAY NETWORKS</figcaption>
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<p>Which Detroit Lions player deserves player of the game honors? </p> <p id="9retLI">The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> on Monday night and it wasn’t particularly close. The final score may have been just 30-17, but that score is inflated by two fourth-quarter touchdowns by Green Bay, one coming as time expired. </p>
<p id="VuLmoF">The Lions had dominant performances all over the field, and several players deserve post-game honors, making this the toughest game ball to date.</p>
<p id="dQZw4w">But before we get into this week’s five candidates, here are the Game Ball standings through seven games. </p>
<p id="1JTUqk"><span><strong>Glover Quin</strong></span> - 6<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71131/matthew-stafford?_ga=2.171359529.863629553.1509280727-142578286.1504359324"><strong>Matthew Stafford</strong></a> - 5<br><span><strong>Darius Slay</strong></span> - 4<br><span><strong>Matt Prater</strong></span> - 4<br><span><strong>Ezekiel Ansah</strong></span> - 3<br><span><strong>Anthony Zettel</strong></span> - 3<br><span><strong>Jarrad Davis</strong></span> - 3<br><span><strong>A’Shawn Robinson</strong></span> - 3<br><span><strong>Jamal Agnew</strong></span> - 3<br><span><strong>Darren Fells</strong></span> - 2<br><span><strong>Golden Tate</strong></span> - 2<br><span><strong>Kenny Golladay</strong></span> - 2<br><span><strong>Ameer Abdullah</strong></span> - 2</p>
<h3 id="YGlfie">Matthew Stafford</h3>
<p id="rJzoGN"><em>Stats: 26/33, 361 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 132.4 passer rating</em></p>
<p id="GJGu39">Matthew Stafford had a near perfect game against the Packers. He was accurate, lethal and devastating against a beat-up Packers secondary. He had maybe one or two poor throws all game, but he didn’t let up for all four quarters. </p>
<p id="kYfisZ">Stafford started out hot and finished hot. As a result, he finished with a season high in completion percentage (78.8%), yards per attempt (10.9) and passer rating (132.4).</p>
<h3 id="x1qtn6"><span>Marvin Jones Jr.</span></h3>
<p id="uiOX7k"><em>Stats: 7 catches, 107 yards, 2 TDs</em></p>
<p id="rQEDN4">A quarterback is nothing if his receivers aren’t catching the ball, and for the most part, Marvin Jones was catching everything coming his way. When a team is struggling in the red zone, sometimes it only takes the effort of one man to turn things around. Jones made some difficult, contested catches, and his two touchdowns were absolutely key in Detroit’s victory.</p>
<h3 id="WoJVk1">Darius Slay</h3>
<p id="VjzfVV"><em>Stats: 1 tackle, 1 pass defended</em></p>
<p id="8btJ7k">It bears repeating again this week, but Darius Slay is absolutely a shutdown corner. He was targeted just three times on Monday, allowing two catches for only 13 yards (<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fnews%2Fpro-refocused-detroit-lions-30-green-bay-packers-17&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.prideofdetroit.com%2F2017%2F11%2F7%2F16617072%2Flions-packers-player-of-the-game-monday-night-football" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">according to Pro Football Focus</a>). Sure, <span>Brett Hundley</span> isn’t the greatest of quarterbacks to face, but when you hold <span>Jordy Nelson</span> to just three catches and 35 yards on the day, you know you did something right.</p>
<h3 id="4X4Tw3">Golden Tate</h3>
<p id="TEnaLw"><em>Stats: 7 catches, 113 yards</em></p>
<p id="uIvQ98">While Marvin was hauling in the touchdowns, Tate was busy moving the chains catch after catch. </p>
<div id="MvuKZO">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Someone had a case of the Mondays..... <a href="https://t.co/JEXQvDnpmQ">pic.twitter.com/JEXQvDnpmQ</a></p>— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShowtimeTate/status/927770280587509760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a>
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<p id="PDHzTT">Per usual, Tate was a YAC machine. 73 of his 113 receiving yards came after the catch and only two passes that came his way fell incomplete. For a receiving duo that had been much-maligned through the first six games, these two have really come on in the past two weeks.</p>
<h3 id="K0ICra">Glover Quin</h3>
<p id="iHQgjj"><em>Stats: 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss</em></p>
<p id="jDefhY">Glover Quin didn’t have much of an impact in the passing game. The ball wasn’t thrown his way often and he didn’t register a single pass breakup on Monday.</p>
<p id="ph5ohU">However, Quin was a tackling machine against the Packers and had the play of the game when Green Bay attempted to convert a fourth-and-2 with the game still in reach. Quin shot down from the secondary and caught 27-year-old <span>Randall Cobb</span> three yards in the backfield. </p>
<p id="a0IXY0">VOTE!</p>
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https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/11/7/16617072/lions-packers-player-of-the-game-monday-night-footballJeremy Reisman