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Detroit Lions Game Ball Week 13: Isa Abdul-Quddus

By Erik Schlitt

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The controversial ending in the Detroit Lions game shouldn’t overshadow the complete game put together by starting strong safety Isa Abdul-Quddus.

Another week, another controversial call in a Detroit Lions loss. There’s plenty of blame to go around and Lions fans are left with lots of questions.

Was running down the clock the right strategy? Why start calling passive plays when aggressive play calling is whats been working? Was the facemask penalty called correctly? Why were the Lions unprepared for the Hail Mary?

Lost in the drama is the complete game put together by strong safety Isa Abdul-Quddus.

After the Lions week 9 bye Isa Abdul-Quddus was promoted into the starting lineup. The speedy safety has steadily improved his performance every week. Abdul-Quddus finished this game with a team leading 11 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass break up, two quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. He did struggle in coverage at times, but he had several key plays against the run to end Green Bay drives.

Isa Abdul-Quddus seemed to be all over the field. At the end of the half he tackled James Starks for loss to end the Packer drive and keep them off the score board. He forced James Starks to fumble in the 3rd quarter that unfortunately landed in Randall Cobb‘s hand in the end zone. Continuing to make key tackles at key times will keep Abdul-Quddus in the starting line up for  forseeable future.

Matthew Stafford looks more and more like a seasoned pro every week. Stafford is a gun slinger. He thrives in an aggressive system where he is asked to make plays. He attacked the Packers through the air and on the ground for the first two and a half quarters. It resulted in a 20-0 lead. When teammates made mistakes, they got called out by Stafford.

He was rolling and expected his teammates to follow suit. This video is an example of how an aggressive Stafford can make plays (and Calvin Johnson made a pretty good catch too). Remember this was the next play following a Glover Quin interception.

Then the play calling seemed to slow down and so did Stafford’s production. He picked up his play again on the Lions final possession throwing an incredible pass to TJ Jones to extend the drive. Then, in an attempt to drain the clock, the coaches took the ball out of Stafford’s hands. After this devastating loss, it’s fair to wonder if next time the coaches will let their leader try to win them the game instead of trying not to lose.

Devin Taylor will get the blame for the controversial facemask penalty but it’s not his fault the Lions lost. Taylor had quite a productive day totaling three tackles, two sacks, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits. Since being a healthy scratch in week two, Taylor has justified his role on defense and should continue to see increased reps.

Matt Prater continues to be one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL. He converted on all three of his field goals (52, 34, and 42) and is a perfect 17 of 17 on the season.

More from Detroit Jock City

Previous Game Ball Winners

Week 1: Ameer Abdullah
Week 2: Ezekiel Ansah
Week 3: Calvin Johnson
Week 4: Ezekiel Ansah (2)
Week 5: Theo Riddick
Week 6: Matthew Stafford
Week 7: Caraun Reid
Week 8: Matt Prater
Week 10: Martha Ford
Week 11: Darius Slay
Week 12: Matthew Stafford (2)

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