Detroit Lions Game Ball Week 4: Ezekiel Ansah

Heartbreaker. The Detroit Lions lose to Seattle 13-10 and start the season 0-4. The top story of this game will be the controversial no call at the end of the game when Kam Chancellor caused Calvin Johnson to fumble and K.J. Wright knocked the ball out the back of the end zone. The “no call” was frustrating but so was the overly simplified offensive play calls and poor execution.  The defense wasn’t without errors but overall they improved and a few players stood out. The “Game Ball” is given to the Detroit Lions “most valuable player” in this week’s game.

Week 4 Game Ball goes to: Ezekiel Ansah

This is the second time in the first four weeks that Ezekiel Ansah has won this award. Ansah continues to find ways to pressure the quarterback and pile up big plays.  His final stat line from last night’s game was: 3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 2 quarterback knock downs, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Ansah continues to show why he was the fifth overall pick of the 2013 draft. This is his fifth multi-sack game of his career and he has led the defense through the first quarter of the season. His ability to create pressure is impressive and the Lions will lean heavily on him to carry the defense going forward. Other Detroit Lions who were considered: Linebacker Travis Lewis started the first half strongly, leading the team with 5 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 quarterback hit. He looked to be the early candidate for this week’s Game Ball, then he hurt his ankle and was done for the day. Defensive tackle Caraun Reid make a key play when he recovered a fumble and took it to the house for a touchdown.

Safety James Ihedigbo had a Jekyll and Hyde kind of night. He made several mistakes but also was a key to keeping the Lions in the game.  He finished the game leading the team with 8 tackles. He was the catalyst on Caraun Reid’s touchdown when he sacked Russell Wilson causing the fumble. He also had a key tackle on the next drive, stopping Thomas Rawls short of a first down and forcing Seattle to give the ball back to Detroit for the controversial drive. Finally, in a post-game interview he was the main Lion calling for accountability from the referees and the NFL.

Previous Game Ball winners:
Week 1: Ameer Abdullah
Week 2: Ezekiel Ansah
Week 3: Calvin Johnson

Next: Fumble, Officiating Costly in Lions Loss

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