Detroit Lions: Top 5 Players to Watch in Second Half of 2014

The Detroit Lions will enter the second half of the season at 6-2 following last weeks bye. The team’s off week came at exactly halfway through the regular season and at the perfect time for players to rest up and get healthy.

While the Detroit Lions find themselves winners of three strait, not all of them came easy. After a defensively dominated game up in Minnesota where Detroit came out on top by a score of 17-3, the Lions would have to rally late to win their next two.

Against the New Orleans Saints in week 7, Drew Brees and company appeared to have the game well in hand. A late game connection between Matthew Stafford and Golden Tate pulled the Lions back within striking distance. Then Glover Quin came through with a clutch interception that allowed Stafford to connect with Jeremy Ross for the go ahead score.

Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

In week 8 the Detroit Lions joined the international club, heading over seas to face the Atlanta Falcons in London. It was a game that started getting out of hand for Detroit rather quickly. Matt Ryan drove the Falcons down field for touchdowns on the teams first two drives. At the half the score was 21-0, Falcons.

In the second half however, the Lions would rally again. And again, Stafford and Tate started the resurgence on a 73-yard connection. In the end, the game came down to a 43-yard field goal attempt for Matt Prater. With Lions fans on the edge of their seats, Prater missed his first attempt. However, the team was charged with a delay of game and Prater would get another shot, this tie from 48.

This one was good.

Now as the Lions enter week 10, relief is expected for the injury riddled squad. Players including Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, and rookie Kyle Van Noy will all be back in action.

With that in mind, lets take a look at the top 5 players to watch as we start the second half of the season.