Detroit Lions Game Ball Week 8: Matt Prater
By Erik Schlitt
The Detroit Lions were well prepared for their trip to London. They used their experience from last years trip to give them an advantage. They traveled early in the week to help them adjust to the time difference. They hired experts to help them with their sleep patterns. They brought their own chef to help with potential diet issues. They sent equipment over early, 20,000 pounds of it.
And none of it mattered as they once again had terrible performance on national television. The 45-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs puts the Lions record at 1-7 going into their bye week. In a season where not much has gone right, there is one Lions player who continues to do his job on a weekly basis.
This weeks Game Ball goes to: Matt Prater
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Matt Prater is having a solid season. His opportunities have been limited but when he has gotten his chance to kick the ball he’s done it with near perfection. In London, Prater connected on a 35 yard field goal early in the 1st quarter and converted an extra point late in the 4th. On the season, Prater has successfully kicked 8 field goals on 8 attempts and 15 extra points on 16 attempts, his only miss was blocked in week 3.
The fact that Matt Prater is this weeks Game Ball winner should be embarrassing for the Lions. It’s not that Prater isn’t deserving, but he was only on the field for two plays. Two. Despite the change at offensive coordinator, the Lions offense looked as inept as ever.
Well the Lions were right about one thing this week: The offense hasn't changed much at all.
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) November 1, 2015
When considering others for this weeks Game Ball, the only one other player stood out was Don Muhlbach. Muhlbach successfully snapped the ball eight times and made one touchdown saving tackle. This was only his first tackle since 2011 (22nd of his 12 year career) but he continues to be a steady performer. His consistency is important factor in why Prater is having the season he is.
Previous Game Ball Winners:
Week 1: Ameer Abdullah
Week 2: Ezekiel Ansah
Week 3: Calvin Johnson
Week 4: Ezekiel Ansah
Week 5: Theo Riddick
Week 6: Matthew Stafford
Week 7: Caraun Reid